Four people have been charged over the alleged genital mutilation of two young girls in Australia.

Detectives attached to the Sex Crimes Squad allege the girls had the procedure, which is also known as female circumcision, performed on them in New South Wales when they were aged six and seven.

The strike force began its investigations recently and has been working closely with NSW Health and the Department of Family and Community Services.

Female genital mutilation is illegal in NSW. It is also an offence to take a NSW resident overseas to have the procedure performed.

A 56-year-old man was arrested earlier today and has been charged with two counts of being an accessory after the fact of female genital mutilation and hindering the investigation of a serious indictable offence.

He was refused bail and will face Burwood Local Court this afternoon.

Also arrested today was a 68-year-old woman who has been charged with two counts of prohibition of female genital mutilation.

Police will allege the woman performed the procedure on the girls.

She has been granted conditional bail and will face Campbelltown Local Court on October 3.

A 42-year-old man and a 35-year-old woman were arrested last Friday and charged with two counts each of female genital mutilation.

They were granted bail and will appear at Parramatta Local Court on September 26.

Investigations by Strike Force Longfield are continuing, and police are also appealing for anyone with information about female genital mutilation to come forward.

- Sydney Morning Herald