Flash mob raises awareness of forced marriage

There have been two flash-mob performances at Birmingham New Street as part of a police campaign on forced marriage Credit: ITV Central

Passers-by at Birmingham New Street have been treated to two flash-mob performances as part of a police campaign on forced marriage.

A mixture of professional dancers, student volunteers and off-duty West Midlands Police Officers danced their way to Bruno Mars’ iconic love song ‘Marry You’, in a bid to shed light on what is considered to be a 'hidden crime'.

Forced marriage happens when the bride, groom or both do not want to get married but are forced to by others, usually their families.

People forced into marriage may be tricked into going abroad, physically threatened or emotionally blackmailed.

Detective Sergeant Trudy Gittins, WMP’s subject matter expert on forced marriage said:

According to statistics from the Government’s Forced Marriage Unit, the West Midlands has the second highest number of forced marriage victims.