Birmingham arrests over female genital mutilation
Two men have been arrested over allegations of female genital mutilation in Birmingham.
The men, aged 55 and 61, were arrested on suspicion of offences contrary to the Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003, West Midlands Police said.
It follows a Sunday Times article last month alleging the illegal procedure was available in the city.
The arrests were made after police went to addresses in Sparkhill, Moseley and Kingstanding, a police spokesman added.
The force said it launched an investigation after the newspaper article appeared on 22 April.
Det Insp Caroline Marsh, from the force's Public Protection Unit, said: "I want to reassure people that we thoroughly investigate all allegations of female genital mutilation and I would encourage anyone who may have any information about this illegal practice to contact police."