12 held in internet brothels raid

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More than 100 officers searched 26 premises across central London in an effort to catch members of a suspected criminal network believed to be involved in people trafficking and controlling prostitution.

Police believe the network has been using an internet escort agency as a front for organised prostitution.

It is alleged the network operates by trafficking women from abroad and then coercing them to work as prostitutes with clients contacting them through the website.

A total of 110 officers are involved in Operation Gib, which is being led by the Metropolitan Police with support from Surrey Constabulary and the Norfolk Constabulary.

Police said they hoped to rescue an estimated 60 foreign women who they believe had been coerced into prostitution by the network.

Some 30 women had been taken to a specialist centre staffed with interpreters, non-government support organisations, health workers and officers trained in sexual offences interview techniques

Plain-clothed officers carried out searches in the Paddington area of the capital and at another address in Surrey.

Chief Superintendent Ian Dyson from the Met said internet prostitution was a growing problem. Speaking before the operation, which was launched in the early hours of this morning, Mr Dyson said: "(The operation) is the culmination of a three to four-month investigation into a network of criminals who have controlled prostitutes through an escort agency website were upwards of 60 women have been involved in prostitution with a degree of coercion involved.

"Our intention is to arrest the subjects of the operation for trafficking, controlling prostitution and money laundering and to identify and rescue victims of trafficking."