- 6 updates
Police target 'high risk' flights in fight against FGM
Mandatory medical examinations to identify female genital mutilation victims may have to be considered in the UK, Met Police chief Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe said. His comments came as an operation was launched at airports to identify possible victims.
Live updates
GP: A lot of girls don't know FGM is against the law
GP Phoebe Abe, who has worked with 56 patients who have been victims of Female Genital Mutilation, says real change will only come when awareness that the practise is illegal is increased throughout afflicted communities.
Dr Abe said it was important to highlight that FGM is a criminal offence, and punishable.
Police target 'high risk' flights in fight against FGM
Police teams are targetting flights to 'high risk' countries where girls are sent from the UK to be 'cut', but cultural change is needed.
Read the full story ›Advertisement
Met Police chief: FGM campaign warns people of law
The Metropolitan Police chief said a campaign launched to identify possible victims of female genital mutilation (FGM) "warns" people of the law.
Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe said: "They have an option to stop - the fact they bought a ticket to me is irrelevant.
"They should not be committing a serious attack on a child and they should not be breaking the law."
Female genital mutilation 'won't be tolerated in the UK'
Head of the Met Police's Sexual Offences, Exploitation and Child Abuse Command said female genital mutilation (FGM) "will not be tolerated in the United Kingdom".
Detective Chief Superintendent Keith Niven said:
Police target flights to and from 'high risk' countries
Police launched an operation this week at airports across the UK targeting flights to and from countries known to carry out female genital mutilation (FGM).
The joint-force Operation Limelight includes officers at Heathrow Airport speaking with passengers on 13 outbound flights to "high risk" countries.
Passengers were warned that FGM is illegal in the UK and if caught, offenders face a large fine and a prison sentence of up to 14 years.
Flights to Heathrow from Nigeria and Sierra Leone were also targeted as officers sought to identify children subjected to FGM and anyone who may have arranged the procedure.
Met chief urges referrals for genital mutilation victims
Mandatory medical examinations to identify victims of female genital mutilation (FGM) may have to be considered in the UK, the Metropolitan Police chief has said.
Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe said there have been a lack of referrals from schools and medical professionals about girls who had undergone the procedure, as an operation was launched at airports to identify possible victims.
An estimated 66,000 women in the UK have undergone FGM and more than 20,000 girls under 15 are thought to be at risk of the practice, which is classed as torture by the UN.
The first UK prosecution for alleged FGM began earlier this year, while there have reportedly been 100 FGM-related convictions in France.
Advertisement
Latest ITV News reports
-
Police target 'high risk' flights in fight against FGM
Police teams are targetting flights to 'high risk' countries where girls are sent from the UK to be 'cut', but cultural change is needed.