SIX people have been arrested following raids at brothels in Westminster.
Luxury cars, jewellery, paintings and cash worth £1 million were also seized by officers during the raids targeting the sexual exploitation of women in Westminster.
The Metropolitan Police said a "number of victims" had been discovered at the four brothels and were being offered support by agencies including the Salvation Army.
In total, seven addresses were raided in London and a further residential property in Gloucestershire was searched during the early morning operation on Wednesday.
The Met said the arrests were part of an investigation, called Operation Huai, into an organised crime group believed to be sexually exploiting women at brothels in the City of Westminster.
Those arrested include:
- A 38-year-old woman on suspicion of modern slavery and proceeds of crime offences.
- A 30-year-old man on suspicion of modern slavery and proceeds of crime offences
- A 67-year-old woman on suspicion of modern slavery and proceeds of crime offences
- A 29-year-old woman on suspicion of modern slavery and proceeds of crime offences
- A 27-year-old man on suspicion of money laundering
- A 28-year-old woman on suspicion of money laundering
The Met said four have been taken to a central London police station and two have been taken to a station in Gloucestershire. They all remain in custody.
Most of the alleged victims are Chinese, but a minority are Romanian and British nationals.
Detective Superintendent Tara McGovern, of the modern slavery investigation team, said: "We are committed to protecting the vulnerable and bringing those responsible for exploiting others to justice.
"I hope this investigation continues to raise the public's awareness of this shocking crime and sends a clear message to those involved that we will take robust action.
"The Met will continue to work with partners, including the Salvation Army, to combat human trafficking and modern slavery in order to safeguard those who are most vulnerable.
"Even during these unprecedented times, we will continue to target organised crime groups who seek to profit from these audacious acts and bring them to justice."
Scotland is in lockdown. Shops are closing and newspaper sales are falling fast. It’s no exaggeration to say that the future of The National is at stake. Please consider supporting us through this with a digital subscription from just £2 for 2 months by following this link: www.thenational.scot/subscribe. Thanks – and stay safe.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel