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Two men have been arrested by police investigating claims that female genital mutilation is being offered in the UK.
West Midlands Police said a 55-year-old and a 61-year-old were arrested after officers from the force's public protection unit attended three separate addresses in Birmingham.
Detective Inspector Caroline Marsh said: "We are still in the very early stages of this investigation but I hope this morning's action sends out a clear message about how seriously we are taking these allegations."
The men were arrested on suspicion of offences contrary to the Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003. A police spokesman said an investigation was launched after the publication of an article in The Sunday Times on 22 April.