British activist Tommy Robinson has sharply criticized what he describes as the authorities’ failure to confront the role of informal sharia councils in cases involving so-called “honour-based” abuse.
According to official figures cited in public debate, 2,949 honour-related offences were recorded across Britain in 2025. These include allegations such as forced marriage, female genital mutilation (FGM), and so-called honour killings. However, only 95 defendants were prosecuted — roughly 3 percent of recorded cases.
Robinson argues that police forces are effectively turning a blind eye, particularly in communities where sharia councils operate. It is estimated that around 85 sharia councils function across the UK. These bodies are not formal courts under British law but act as religious arbitration panels, primarily handling family and marital disputes within parts of the Muslim community.
Critics claim that some women who turn to these councils face pressure to remain in abusive marriages or are discouraged from reporting crimes to authorities. Supporters of sharia councils, however, maintain that they provide voluntary religious guidance and mediation, and that criminal matters remain under the jurisdiction of British courts.