Only three cases of forced marriage have resulted in a conviction since it became illegal four years ago OLI SCARFF/GETTY IMAGES

Police forces have been accused of failing thousands of victims of forced marriages by charging a suspect in only one in 38 cases.

Officials at the Home Office received more than 3,800 reports of forced marriages or victims being at risk of forced marriage in the past three years. Hundreds of the victims are children, with the youngest only four years old.

However, The Times surveyed police forces and found that fewer than 80 suspects had been charged in this time. It became illegal to force someone to marry in 2014 but only three cases have resulted in convictions.

Yesterday the police watchdog said that it would act to ensure that forces improved their performance and that victims were adequately protected.

Campaigners accused officers of…