Shock figures released by the National Health Service have revealed a disturbingly high number of girls and women living in Slough who have been subjected to genital mutilation.

Figures covering the whole country were collated for the period covering the year between April 2016 and April 2017.

A total of 45 women living within the Slough borough who went for treatment on the NHS during that time were found to have undergone the process - compared with five in the Royal Borough and five across the whole of neighbouring Buckinghamshire.

Councillor Sabia Hussain, Slough Borough Council's cabinet member for health and social care, said: “It is reassuring to know more women are coming forward and reporting cases of female genital mutilation. It's really important victims get adequate help, advice and support to prevent further health issues and complications.

“With children as young as five being victims of this heinous and illegal act, it is deeply concerning. It's important everyone understands female genital mutilation is not a practice by one religious group, but a cultural practice dating back hundreds of years. It is for this reason education, guidance and support is so important in eradicating this practice in Slough and the UK.”

An NSPCC spokesman said: “FGM is child abuse. Despite being illegal for over 30 years, too many people are still being subjected to it and it is right that health services have started to properly record evidence of this horrendous practice.

“The NSPCC Helpline is contacted more than once a day by people worried about girls who may have suffered, or are at risk of, FGM. It takes courage to report concerns as many feel ashamed or worry they will betray friends and family. But we need to end the silence that surrounds FGM to better protect children.”

FGM has been illegal in the United Kingdom since 1985 and the law was strengthened in 2003 to prevent girls travelling from the UK and undergoing FGM abroad.

Anyone concerned about someone who has suffered, or is at risk of, FGM, can contact the NSPCC FGM Helpline anonymously on 0800 028 3550 or visit nspcc.org.uk.