A CONFERENCE highlighting so-called 'honour' violence and forced marriage takes place in Dorset today.

Charity Karma Nirvana and the police's Forced Marriage Unit have teamed-up to organise the roadshow, which will be attended by more than 550 professionals and community leaders from across the county.

Detective Chief Inspector Jez Noyce, Dorset Police's serious crimes investigations manager, said: “People often think that forced marriage and honour-based violence do not happen here in Dorset, primarily because the populations normally affected by these crimes are relatively small.

“However, as we have seen in other parts of the country, this means that potential victims could actually be at greater risk because they are far more isolated.”

Members of the public can follow along and ask questions on Twitter between 10am and 1pm, using the hashtag #KNRDorset