A 36-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of facilitating female genital mutilation.

The woman was arrested at an address in Croydon yesterday (Wednesday, December 7).

She remains in custody at a south London police station.

The Metropolitan Police’s enquiries are ongoing.

The World Health Organisation (WHO)’s definition of FGM comprises ‘all procedures involving partial or total removal of the female external genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons’.

FGM has been illegal in the UK since 1985 and there are new laws stopping girls from being taken abroad for FGM.