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Nine arrested and seven women saved in brothel raids
Justin Davenport, Crime Correspondent21.04.09
POLICE today arrested nine people suspected of running a network of brothels across London and Hertfordshire.
Officers also rescued seven women who were being forced to work as prostitutes after being trafficked from south-east Asia.
Three women and six men, including one aged 70, were arrested on suspicion of trafficking, controlling prostitution for gain, money laundering and possession of a stun gun.
Officers searched nine premises including brothels in Camden, Harrow, Finchley and Hemel Hempstead. Police also searched homes in Stevenage, Charlton and Cricklewood and a business address in Hampstead.
Investigators said some of the brothels were operating around the clock with girls dealing with 25 to 45 customers a day. Police have frozen £96,000 in one account allegedly linked to the racket and identified payments totalling £800,000 transferred to a foreign bank account in the last five years.
Detective chief superintendent Richard Martin said: “The experiences of the women forced into prostitution are horrendous. Rescuing these victims and ensuring their safety is our key priority.”
The raids stemmed from last year's Operation Rize which targeted safety deposit boxes used by criminals.
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