THE local authority can help those at risk of forced marriage more swiftly after new powers came into force today.

Waltham Forest Council, along with all local authorities in England, can now seek a Forced Marriage Protection Order for vulnerable adults and children without first having to get permission from the court.

The change was introduced by the Ministry of Justice in a bid to reduce the legal red tape involved in forced marriage cases.

The orders are intended to help vulnerable victims in a range of ways, depending on their needs, by preventing anyone entering into any arrangements for engagement or marriage or having passports handed over to stop someone from being taken abroad.

Anyone breaching an order could face jail.

Justice Minister Bridget Prentice said: “We are cutting legal red tape so that local authorities are empowered to give vulnerable people the protection they need as fast as possible.

“Forced Marriage Protection Orders are helping victims to tackle intimidation and threats of violence and abduction, sometimes from family members who are difficult to stand up against.”

The first anniversary of the Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act is on November 25.