WEST Yorkshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Mark Burns-Williamson will be hosting a multi-agency conference in Bradford next week, focusing on helping victims of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

Representatives from the NHS, Councils, hospitals, Victims Support, women's centres and community organisations will be attending the event, which aims to prevent FGM taking place and to ensure victims are at the heart of everything that is done to tackle the issue.

It will be the first time that different agencies from across West Yorkshire have got together to debate the topic.

The event is also aimed at members of the public who want to know more about the work being done about FGM.

Mr Burns-Williamson has previously supported city-wide conferences in Leeds and Bradford to highlight the issue of FGM.

But he wanted to bring together agencies from across the county together to identify and provide support to victims.

Mr Burns-Williamson said: "FGM is a hugely under reported offence, with few prosecutions. I think there is a lack of awareness and understanding across West Yorkshire, and the country as a whole.

"The joint discussions will help me to understand what more I can do to increase awareness, support work across all sectors and help prevent FGM from occurring in the first place.

“FGM is a crime. Raising awareness of the issue is an important aspect in helping to prevent it and to understand the true scale and nature of it.

“I am committed to raising awareness as much as possible and by bringing partners from across West Yorkshire together under one roof we will be able to share knowledge and information – only by working together can we make a real difference and aim to educate as many people as possible about it.

“The crime does not respect local, regional, national or even international borders and boundaries with most victims thought to be taken overseas.”

Assistant Chief Constable Russ Foster of West Yorkshire Police, said: “The practice of FGM is illegal and totally unacceptable, it is further exacerbated by victims often being young and vulnerable. We and our partners need to work together understand the scale of the problem, eradicate the crime and educate affected communities not just about the illegality, but also the health risks it poses.”

The event takes place next Wednesday at the Thornbury Centre, in Leeds Old Road, Thornbury.

Members of the public are invited to attend but places are limited. Email Claire.Layton@westyorkshire.pcc.pnn.gov.uk or call 01924 294022.