A CRACKDOWN on forced marriages is set to help avoid problems peaking during the summer holidays.

Schools, doctors, tea-chers and police officers across Lancashire have been put on alert ahead of a national ‘busy season’ for forced marriages’ and issued with guidelines to help them work more closely with each other.

The plan was annou-nced as it was revealed that cases of forced marriage dealt with by the Government’s specialist Forced Marriage Unit have trebled since 2005.

Detective Chief Insp-ector Justin Srivastava, deputy head of public protection for Lancashire Constabulary, said the national figures reflect an increase seen in Lancashire, where currently front line workers are dealing with five enquiries a week.

He said: “We have also had reports of an increase from our voluntary partners.

"Some of these are requests for help, others are just to get more information, but it shows more people are coming forward.

“There is a concern that children are more likely to be taken out of the country in the holidays but forced marriage is an issue at any time of year.

“I would like to stress to any victims that support services are available.

“We have many specialist officers who deal with this issue and I would urge anyone concerned to come forward.”

Cases of forced marriage dealt with by the Government’s Forced Marriage Unit have almost trebled since 2005, from 152 cases to 420 last year.

Victims in 14 per cent of cases are male, 33% are under 18 and 14% are under 16 years of age.

Of these reported cases, 17%, came from the North West with 105 incidents.

Many cases are reported before the holidays, when pupils raise concerns with their teachers that they could be forced to marriage while away from school.

New guidelines aim to help front line professionals to identify and protect children and adults at risk. Forced marriages are not the same as arranged marriages to which parties consent.

The Forced Marriage Unit runs a public helpline on 0207 008 0151 from 9 to 5 Monday to Friday.

For out of hours emergency advice, call 020 7008 1500.