Help us catch the female genital mutilation criminals cutting girls in London, says Yard

Scotland Yard today appealed for information to identify the perpetrators of female genital mutilation amid growing indications that girls are being “cut” in the capital.

Detective Chief Superintendent Keith Niven, the head of the Yard’s child abuse command, said officers would “relentlessly pursue” those carrying it out and had already received “a variety of pieces of information” that the illegal practice was being inflicted here.

He added that further information was needed to protect girls from the “appalling” physical and psychological damage caused by the crime. “The information that we are getting is that this crime takes place abroad, but that it also takes place here and we have to take that seriously,” Mr Niven told the Evening Standard.

“Historically, we have looked at this very much in terms of victims coming forward, but there is a very low level of reporting of this crime. So we also want people who have information about where it is happening to speak to us so we can identify the individuals who are cutting girls and gather evidence with a view to prosecution.”

Mr Niven said that tip-offs could be provided anonymously via the Crimestoppers number or to charities such as the NSPCC, and that all those providing information would be treated sensitively and offered any support that they might need.

He added that one reason for the new approach was that victims were often reluctant to testify because many of those carrying out cutting, or organising it, were relatives or friends. That made it difficult for them to speak out.

Police could, however, gather evidence separately if pointed towards potential suspects and bring offenders to justice. Praising the Evening Standard for highlighting the issue, Mr Niven said that the impact of genital mutilation was now being brought fully “into the open” after being an “underground” problem for many years.

“People are beginning to understand the enormity of this crime. There are significant psychological, physical and emotional impacts that can last through childhood and later life,” he added.

“We want to send out the message that the UK is not somewhere you can come and get away with this. If you come here and we get information that you are engaging in this crime then we will relentlessly pursue you with a view to prosecution.”

Female genital mutilation, which involves the removal of all or parts of the labia and clitoris, was made a crime in 1985, but no charges have been brought so far. The Met has warned that it will also seek to prosecute parents and others who arrange trips for girls to be cut overseas.

Anyone with information should contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000

‘Teach children in schools how to spot the warning signs’

London primary schools must start educating children about the risks of female genital mutilation before the summer holidays, experts warned today.

Thousands of young girls are taken abroad for the procedure during the long break before secondary school begins.

Children aged 10 and 11 in Bristol are being taught about it as part of health education for the first time, and charities today called on London schools to help girls spot whether they or their friends may be at risk.

Julia Lalla-Maharajh, founder of the Orchid Project, which is working to end female genital mutilation, said: “We must come up with ways of talking about this, particularly as summer holidays are coming up, when many girls are at risk.”

St Werburgh’s in Bristol is thought to be the first UK primary school to address the subject, while 10 others in the city have been given training. At four secondary schools, role play and a DVD help teenagers to spot and report the crime.

St Werburgh’s headteacher Claire Smith said: “They need to know that if someone starts talking about becoming a woman or becoming clean, with a holiday or a celebration and presents, they should talk to somebody.”

See more on this Topic