Calls are being made for more help to be provided to victims of honour based crimes after figures revealed that Newham has the second highest number of reported incidents in the capital.

Statistics from a Freedom of Information request to the Met revealed that Newham had 59 reports of honour related crime since 2010.

According to the figures, the borough came joint second with neighbouring Redbridge for the number of reported honour crimes in London, while Brent topped the list with 82 incidents.

Sudarshan Bhuhi, chief executive officer of Stratford charity Aanchal Women’s Aid, said she was not surprised by the figures and that she believes more incidents may be going unreported.

She added: “The issue is quite close to my heart.

“I have been working in here and the economic divide is so diverse – there’s not enough funds for specialised support.”

Balvinder Saund, of the Sikh Women’s Alliance (SWA) in Ilford, explained that the “idea of honour” was still present.

“It’s about control and subservience. These old ways of thinking should be left behind – there’s no place for it,” she said.

A Newham Council spokesman explained confidential support is available to all victims of domestic and sexual abuse.

He said: “Our free and confidential One Stop Shop provides support to all those experiencing domestic or sexual violence (DSV) including through honour-based crimes. It is available 24 hours a day 365 days a year and can help ensure people receive the appropriate support based on the threat they are facing.

“For example, we would ensure any woman needing a place of safety had access to refuge provision outside of the borough.

“The One Stop Shop service also supports victims of DSV to report crimes to the police, which could be part of the reason the borough has higher levels of recorded honour based crime than many other boroughs.”

DCI John Roch from Newham Police said honour based crimes are treated “seriously and sensitively”.

He added: “We would encourage victims to seek help and come forward and to realise that they do not have to suffer in silence.”