Eleven cases of girls at risk of female genital mutilation have been referred to the Met since a new telephone helpline was launched last month in a fresh sign of the scale of the problem in London.
Several cases have been reported by teachers worried that pupils are at risk. Another has come from a doctor, while others have come from girls concerned about becoming victims.
The disclosure came as police and prosecutors published a new blueprint on how to gain the evidence and court testimony that could lead to a first British charge over the barbaric practice.
Measures set out in the document include ensuring that doctors and nurses with specialist training on genital mutilation are used for examinations of victims.
Every police investigation team will also include at least one officer who has “enhanced knowledge of FGM practices” and is trained to be aware of the “cultural taboos” and sensitivities that can sometimes deter victims from coming forward.
Further recommendations include the provision of specialist support to victims and an instruction to police to investigate whether family members or others can be prosecuted for intimidation in cases where girls are too frightened to testify.
Unveiling the document, Met Det Chief Superintendent Keith Niven said police were encouraged by the information from the hotline, which is run by the NSPCC, but urged others to come forward.
“It is a very positive sign that people are ringing in with their concerns,” he said. “But we want to provide reassurance about what happens when you go to police so that even more information comes in.”
Files on eight cases of alleged FGM are being studied by the CPS with two of the suspects on police bail.
*NSPCC helpline: 0800 028 3550
