A SWINDON councillor has advised the public what action to take if people suspect someone may be at risk of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and how and where to report it.

It comes after a new study found there were 271 reported instances of FGM in the South of England between January and March of this year.

Councillor Oliver Donachie, Swindon Borough Council’s cabinet member with responsibility for reducing domestic violence and abuse, said: “Female genital mutilation is usually performed on girls and young women. It is illegal in this country to take a child abroad for the procedure to be undertaken, to have the procedure done in this country or to bring someone to the UK for the purpose.

“There is a statutory duty for frontline staff to report any concerns they have about a girl or young women who may be at risk.”

The figures were released by the Health and Social Care Information Centre, which is the nationwide provider of health and social care statistics.

According to the report the 271 figure includes 121 newly recorded instances of FGM, with 86% of those occurring in women aged between 18 and 39.

FGM refers to procedures that “intentionally alter or cause injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons”.

It has been illegal in the UK since 1985, with the law being strengthened in 2003 to prevent girls travelling from the UK and undergoing FGM abroad.

Councillor Donachie said: “There are no medical reasons for FGM to be performed and there can be serious health risks associated with the practice, which could be fatal.

“In Swindon there is a multi-agency FGM guidance which agencies and organisation can access that gives information on what to do if they suspect someone may be at risk and how and where to report it.”

An NSPCC spokesman in the South West said: “There are no medical reasons to carry out FGM. It doesn't enhance fertility and it doesn't make childbirth safer. It is used to control female sexuality and can cause severe and long-lasting damage to physical and emotional health.

“FGM, or female circumcision, is usually carried out for religious, cultural or social reasons. But let’s be clear – it is child abuse and it causes long-lasting physical and emotional damage. The practice must stop.”

Throughout the country, there were 1,242 newly recorded cases of FGM reported with 2,223 total attendances where FGM was identified or a procedure for FGM was undertaken.

More than half of all cases nationwide relate to women and girls from the London NHS Commissioning Region – 52% of newly recorded cases and 60% of total attendances.

Almost all the information was submitted by NHS trusts with GP practices submitted just 2% of newly recorded women and girls and 1 per cent of total attendances.

Councillor Donachie added: “If you are concerned for yourself or someone you know who may be at risk you can call the FGM Helpline on 0800 028 3550 or email fgmhelp@nspcc.org.uk.”