Police visit UK airports to warn of FGM cases abroad

 
Police operation: Scotland Yard’s specialist FGM unit are involved in the investigation (Picture: PA)
Justin Davenport29 April 2014
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Police are to mount a nationwide operation at British airports to warn parents about taking their children abroad to undergo female genital mutiliation.

Officers will conduct a week of handing out leaflets warning that FGM is a criminal offence, as well as intervening with families on their return if it is suspected that children have been harmed.

Officers from around 10 forces, including Scotland Yard’s specialist FGM unit, and charities will be involved in the operation.

Passengers travelling directly to countries such as Sierra Leone and Somalia will be given leaflets but those flying out of regional airports to connect with flights to Africa will also be approached.

Met Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley said: “This will be about educating people who are going out to countries where FGM is practised but it will also involve flights returning to the UK where we have intelligence that gives us some concern.”

He also revealed that police in London are investigating four more cases of alleged FGM which have been reported recently.

Despite efforts to encourage teachers and health officials to report FGM, he said there had not been a significant rise in cases referred to police. In total 69 cases were referred last year. There have been 29 referrals so far this year, only a slight rise.

So far no-one has been convicted of FGM in the UK though two people, one a London doctor, have been charged with associated offences and are awaiting trial.

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