Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many cases of alleged female genital mutilation were investigated by each police force in England on 22 July 2015.

The Home Office does not routinely collect information on the number of police investigations into female genital mutilation (FGM). The new mandatory reporting duty for FGM, introduced through the Serious Crime Act 2015, is due to commence in October this year and will lead to a greater number of cases being referred to the police. However, indicative information provided to the Home Office FGM Unit shows that the level of reporting of this crime to police is increasing. For example, the Metropolitan Police Service received 81 reports of suspected FGM in 2013/14, compared to 25 in 2011/12. Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary is currently undertaking an inspection into ‘honour’ based violence, including FGM, which will help to build a better picture of the police response.