UK police arrest 2 over genital mutilation claims

LONDON – Police say they have arrested two men after a newspaper reported that some medical staff in Britain were offering to perform female genital mutilation.

West Midlands Police said a 55-year-old and a 61-year-old were detained Friday in Birmingham, central England, on suspicion of offenses under the country's 2003 Female Genital Mutilation Act.

The arrests follow a Sunday Times story that claimed reporters had secretly filmed a doctor, a dentist and an alternative medical practitioner who offered to perform or arrange the procedure, which is illegal in Britain and carries a maximum 14-year prison sentence.

Detective Inspector Caroline Marsh said "I hope this morning's action sends out a clear message about how seriously we are taking these allegations."