‘Honour attacks’ soar by nearly 50%

NEARLY 3,000 so-called “honour” attacks were recorded by police in Britain last year.

According to figures obtained by the Iranian and Kurdish Women’s Rights Organisation (Ikwro), at least 2,823 incidents of “honour-based” violence took place, with the highest number recorded in London.

The charity said the statistics do not give the full picture of the levels of “honour” violence in the UK, but are the best national estimate so far.

The data, taken from 39 out of 52 UK forces, was released following a Freedom of Information request by Ikwro. In total, eight police forces recorded more than 100 honour-based attacks in 2010.

Between the 12 forces able to provide figures from 2009, there was an overall 47 per cent rise in honour attack incidents.

“This is the first time that a national estimate has been provided in relation to the reporting of honour-based violence,” the Ikwro report concluded.

“The number of incidents is significant, particularly when we consider the high levels of abuse that victims suffer before they seek help.”