This article originally appeared on Shaun Bailey's website. Shaun is a London wide GLA Member and the 2021 Conservative Mayoral candidate.

Mayor of London Tory candidate Shaun Bailey has called for a register of girls at risk of female genital mutilation as new figures show a rise in the number of cases in London.

The latest NHS figures show a 21 per cent increase in the number of people registered with FGM attending hospital or GP appointments in London.   

There were 2,975 women or girls identified as having undergone some form of FGM who had attended an NHS trust or GP practice in London in the 12 months to September 2018, compared to 2,465 the previous year.

Mr Bailey, who is standing for mayor in 2020, said the rise was “shocking” and called for a register which could include girls who have had FGM or come from at-risk communities.