More than 260 women and girls in Enfield were victims of female genital mutilation (FGM) this year.

Between April 2015 and March 2016, 265 women in Enfield were recorded as having been treated for FGM – the practice of removing the genitalia for non-medical reasons - the eighth highest number for any English local authority area.

The Home Affairs Committee published a report on the practice, prevalent in north and central Africa and the Middle East, earlier this month after the NHS began collecting all data from patients connected to FGM last year.

Of the 265 people, the report said 215 had not suffered these injuries previously and were new patients on the NHS.

This is the sixth highest number of new cases recorded by English NHS trusts. 

The report calls on the Government to introduce “stronger sanctions” for those who fail to report FGM, which has been mandatory for NHS trusts since July 2015.

The committee said since the abuse became illegal 30 years ago there has been not one successful prosecution.

Enfield Southgate MP David Burrowes is a member of the Home Affairs Committee.

He said: “Female Genital Mutilation is child abuse and should be treated as such. The Committee heard evidence about prevalence of FGM in the UK and subsequent grounds for convictions.  

“This leaves no excuse for those with a duty to protect children to not report incidences. We must see a rise in successful prosecutions.”

Children’s charity NSPCC said schools should provide lessons to ensure girls and boys can recognise the practice as abuse and get help to prevent it.  

A spokesperson said: “For too long children have suffered the barbaric practice of FGM which has been hidden from the public eye and proper scrutiny.

 “FGM is child abuse and against the law. It leaves victims physically and mentally scarred and has no place in any society.”

Anyone who is worried about a child at risk of, or who has suffered FGM, can call the confidential NSPCC helpline on 0800 028 3550 or email fgmhelp@nspcc.org.uk.