David Blunkett

Tough new laws will stop parents taking young girls abroad for female circumcision, ministers have pledged.

New legislation, which came into force on Wednesday, now makes it illegal to take girls abroad for genital mutilation whether or not it is lawful elsewhere.

Anyone found guilty of the offence will now face up to 14 years imprisonment rather than the previous five year jail term.

"Female genital mutilation is a barbaric practice that is rightly illegal in this country," said home secretary David Blunkett.

"No cultural, medical or other reason can ever justify a practice that causes so much pain and suffering.

"Regardless of cultural background, it is completely unacceptable and should be illegal wherever it takes place."

Effective symbolism

Female circumcision is carried out mainly among the Somali, Ethiopian, Eritrean, Yemeni, Malaysian and Indonesian communities.

Officials believe around 7,000 girls under 16 living in UK communities are at risk.

The practice was banned in the UK in 1985 but to get round the law some families took young girls abroad.

Care workers hope that although the law is largely symbolic, it can be used as a tool for child protection and to educate communities.

The change in the law was championed by Labour MP Ann Clwyd who secured the support of the government.

"Many victims of female genital mutilation are often young and vulnerable," she said.

"They suffer enormous physical and psychological harm throughout their lives, yet too often they suffer in silence. I hope that this legislation will send that message very powerfully indeed."