COUNCIL chiefs in Worcestershire have hit out at claims they are being "complacent" over female genital mutilation - after figures revealed barely any reports of it in the county.

A UK Independence Party councillor says he is alarmed about the horrific crime barely registering in Worcestershire, saying "there isn't even the lowest of drumbeats" about it here.

Councillor Peter Bridle, one of only two UKIP politicians at County Hall, has sparked controversy by asking the authority if it is "too politically correct".

His comments have angered the Conservative leadership, which says it is taken seriously.

As your Worcester News revealed last month, since April last year there have been next to no reports of it in the county.

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust says there were less than 10, and it was so low the single digit figure is not being made public.

By contrast, in nearby Birmingham there are six cases a week and 1,500 recorded incidents over the last five years.

Cllr Bridle, speaking during a council meeting, said: "As a father of three beautiful and precious daughters, I must ask this question.

"It's an appalling and barbaric practice but I know there's not one case reported in the county and indeed, there's been no charges or convictions of any perpetrators or abettors.

"The law is clear in that it holds anyone and everyone accountable who performs such an act."

He went on to say "are we giving these girls or women so violated every opportunity to report their ordeal", adding: "There isn't even the lowest of drumbeats, it seems to me, from the authorities or the afflicted.

"I ask (the council leadership) are we being too complacent or politically correct - are we doing too little to empower these poor women to come forward?"

His stance angered Councillor Marcus Hart, the cabinet member for health and wellbeing, who said Cllr Bridle was wrong to suggest any complacency.

"The context of the wording suggests other members of this council don't take it as a serious issue," he said.

"I can assure Cllr Bridle that as a county council we do take this issue very seriously - female genital mutilation is of course something that would appal all right minded citizens.

"Just because there has not been a reported case in this county doesn't mean we don't take this seriously."

National figures have shown 15 cases are being reported every day across the UK including 1,946 since last September, of which 47 involved girls under 18.