Fury as police force suggests NOT jailing parents behind FGM as 'does not benefit' child

The force was bombarded with online complaints after replying to a tweet asking why there had been no prosecutions for female genital mutilation (FGM).

The police reply, which has since been deleted, read: "educating and safeguarding vulnerable girls is the focus.

The response sparked outrage, with Twitter users laying into the force for the lenient stance. 

Will Copeland wrote: "The official police line: ‘we don't prosecute for FGM - literally mutilating a young girl's genitals - because it doesn't benefit the child’”. 

Another user called it a "deplorable interpretation of child safeguarding". 

West Midlands Police has since posted a tweet attempting to clarify the force’s policy on FGM, saying it will prosecute parents or "cutters" for the criminal offence. 

It read: "Lots of views on #FGMletstalk to be clear we will arrest and bring prosecutions against those committing FGM."

Margot Parker, UKIP’s spokesman on Women and Equalities issues has written to the Chief Constable of West Midlands Police, the Police and Crime Commissioner, the Director of Public

Prosecutions and Home Secretary Amber Rudd to complain.

West Midlands police made a mistake with their tweet on FGM. The mistake being, it lays bare their attitudes to FGM and child abuse.

the West Midlands Police FGM controversy is just the tip of the iceberg. Our elites too cowardly to confront Islamism

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Lots of views on #FGMletstalk to be clear we will arrest and bring prosecutions against those committing FGM.

The East Midlands MEP said: “The tweet was deleted but further tweets which attempted to clarify the position of WMP on this sickening crime just added to the confusion. 

“Should we not enforce laws on all groups and sections of society? 

“Our laws apply to everyone, equally, regardless of gender, faith or ethnicity – or at least they should. Any moves to detract from that ideal can only be seen as a dereliction of duty and

failing to execute the responsibility for the equal, unbiased enforcement of the law expected of the police and wider criminal justice system.

“There has not been a single successful prosecution in the UK on FGM - the institutional failures are clear for all to see and I would hope WMP is committed to rectifying those failures and

protecting vulnerable women and girls from those who would abuse them in this awful way."

West Midlands Police admit they will NOT charge parents that physically abuse their children. Just so you all know. #FFS ������#FGM https://t.co/XERjN3VLy6

Following the furore, West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson released a statement saying the controversial tweets "did not convey just how dedicated West Midlands Police

is to tackling FGM".

Mr Jamieson added: "FGM is child abuse and both myself and the public rightly expect West Midlands Police to arrest and prosecute those committing this most serious of crimes.

"Abuse will not be tolerated and it is absolutely right the public has an increased expectation in the police to tackle complicated hidden crimes.

"I have made a huge investment in West Midlands Police's Public Protection Unit with a focus on intervention, prevention and protection. Major strides have been taken to ensure identifying

and responding to hidden crimes is a policing staple, with safeguarding part of everyone's day-to-day business.

"I understand people's concerns following a number of tweets from West Midlands Police's Twitter accounts this weekend - and the general frustration at the lack of prosecutions nationwide.

The tweets in question did not convey just how dedicated West Midlands Police is to tackling FGM nor official policy and I will be raising the matter with the Chief Constable."

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