Because Ignorance Is Bliss...

...especially when it might upset the Enrichment applecart!

There has been no systematic study or formal data collection exercise.

Well, no. You don't collect evidence when you fear what it'll reveal...

Another community activist, who did not wish to be named, said she was aware of 15-20 recent cases in Croydon alone.

“It’s usually done in the UK, not abroad like female genital mutilation (FGM),” she said, describing a practice whereby mothers, aunties or grandmothers use a hot stone to massage across the breast repeatedly in order to “break the tissue” and slow its growth.

Surely this leaves visible marks?

“I was a nurse in the UK for over 10 years and watched the numbers grow,” said Jennifer Miraj, who worked in hospitals in Essex, Glasgow, Birmingham and London until 2015.

Miraj said she came across confirmed cases of breast-ironing in approximately 15 adults and eight girls.

Confirmed by whom?

“I took care of a young 10-year-old girl who had an infection, which had been going on for a few years from ironing,” she said, describing a case from Broomfield hospital in Essex.

Mary Claire, a church minister in Wolverhampton, said she had spoken to four victims in Leeds, originally from west Africa. “You could see the marks,” she said.

So why no prosecutions?

Police say they have fielded no allegations about breast-ironing in the UK, but suspect it is happening.

It is happening. You've just been told.

“If I knew it was happening, I would do something about it,” said the Insp Allen Davis from the Met police.

Now you do. What are your plans?