AWARENESS around female genital mutilation (FGM) should be “entrenched” in primary schools in St Helens, a councillor has said.

FGM is illegal in the UK and it is also an offence to arrange the procedure, which is practiced in Africa, Asia and the Middle East, outside the country for British citizens or permanent residents.

While procedures can differ, FGM is where the female genitals are deliberately cut, injured or changed, and is usually carried out on young girls between infancy and the age of 15.

According to NHS figures, there have been 6,195 cases of FGM in the UK recorded between April 2017 and March this year.

St Helens Safeguarding Children Board’s annual report reveals that a seven-minute briefing on FGM was distributed to safeguarding leads within the partnership during 2017-18.

The report was presented to the children and young people’s services overview and scrutiny panel this week.

Cllr Susan Murphy, ward member for Billinge and Seneley Green, said the panel need to know it’s the FGM training is entrenched in the borough’s primary schools.

Prof Sarah O’Brien, the authority’s strategic director, said schools “should be aware” of the training.

However, she said it is the responsibility of head teachers and school safeguarding leads to embed the information with their schools, adding that primary schools are “very well involved” in the safeguarding agenda.

Cllr Murphy also said governors must also be made aware of FGM.

The Labour councillor said: “I know we’re doing corporate parenting training but each safeguarding governor at each school needs to be aware of this.

“And also, I know in a lot of the schools they are not aware even what FGM is.

“So, I think that’s something we need to check on because this is a growing problem and we need to be aware that we know what’s happening.”

Prof O’Brien acknowledged that FGM is a growing issue nationally but said there is a lack of evidence that it is a “big” issue in St Helens.

She added that training around neglect and domestic violence are “very big” priorities that need to be entrenched in primary schools.