“Honour crimes” – the lessons learned in Warrington

THE murder of Warrington schoolgirl Shafilea Ahmed gave Cheshire Police the experience to take a leading role in improving the way police investigate “honour crimes.”
That experience enabled them to provide learning for others at a local and national level, the force said today.
But a review by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary into how police investigate crimes committed in the name of so-called honour based violence, forced marriage and female genital mutilation, has found only three forces which pass all stages of the review – West Midlands Police, Derbyshire and Northumbria.
Cheshire Constabulary welcomed the detailed report.
In a statement, the force said: “Since 2003, following our investigation into the murder of Shafilea Ahmed by her parents, Cheshire Constabulary has taken a leading role in improving the way police investigate and manage these often complex cases of abuse, and we have been able to use our experience to provide learning for others at a local and national level.
“The Force has representation on all of the relevant working groups that share best practice on honour based violence, forced marriage and female genital mutilation, and the report highlights that in many areas Cheshire Constabulary is well placed to support the victims of these complex crimes and bring the perpetrators to justice.
“While HMIC highlights much of the good work that we do – including our ability to identify cases of honour-based abuse, and the steps we take to protect victims and prosecute those involved – we are the first to acknowledge that there is still more that can be done.
“We will continue to ensure that all our staff undergo detailed training in ‘honour’ crimes, and will continue to work closely with our partners and our communities across Cheshire to improve understanding and awareness of these often ‘hidden’ crimes.”
Shafilea Ahmed, 17, from Great Sankey disappeared in September 2003 and her body was found in a river in Cumbria in February the following year.
Her parents were charged with her murder in 2011 and it was alleged they had carried out an “honour killing” because she had refused to accept an arranged marriage.
Both parents denied the offences but they were convicted in August 2012 and jailed for life, with a minimum term of 25 years.