LAWFUEL – The Legal Newswire – Officers from the Met’s Clubs and Vice Unit have closed down two brothels and recovered over £9000 during midday raids yesterday [02/08/07] in central London.
The closures follow a two-month intelligence led undercover operation, codenamed Calcio. Two search warrants were executed as part of the operation, and as a result, two arrests were made at the brothels in Warwick Way and Rochester Row, Belgravia. Five suspected prostitutes were also there.
A 32-year-old female [A] and a 42 year-old male [B] were arrested nearby at 11:55 on Thursday 2 August. Both were arrested on suspicion of controlling prostitution and money laundering. They are currently in custody at Charing Cross Police Station.
PC Chris Brown, of the Met’s Clubs and Vice Unit, said:
“This is the latest in a series of operations that we have been carrying out to clampdown on those who make large amounts of money by controlling women in the vice trade. In this covert operation, officers from the Clubs and Vice Task Team worked with their colleagues in Vice Unit and Financial Investigation Unit, resulting in the closure of two very active brothels. Successful operations such as this, demonstrate that those living off criminal earnings through exploiting women in this way, will be arrested and their businesses closed down.”
