Police raid nine suspected Midlands brothels in human trafficking crackdown
Nine suspected brothels in the Midlands have been raided by police in a major operation to find victims of human trafficking who have been forced into prostitution.
Around 40 officers descended on the addresses across Birmingham leading to five people being arrested.
Areas including Bordesley Green, Hay Mills, Acocks Green, Sheldon and Alum Rock were all targeted as part of the operation.
Police say two men and three women were arrested at an address on Botha Road in Bordesley Green on suspicion of managing a brothel.
Several bags of evidence were seized from the terraced house including mobile phones.
Five women were also identified as potential victims of sexual exploitation at several of the properties.
Three addresses on Speedwell Road, Cannon Hill Road and Coventry Road were found to have been recently vacated but officers discovered evidence that suggested they had recently been used as brothels.
Detective Superintendent Tim Bacon said: "It's hard to believe that modern day slavery is happening in the West Midlands, but sadly it's on the increase and we're determined to put a stop to it."
The action was under the banner of Operation Sentinel, tackling human trafficking. The force says it wants to break down networks at the top of organised crime groups by securing convictions for bosses and finding their victims.
Last year there were 2,255 potential victims of trafficking identified nationally, an increase of 178 or nine per cent compared to those reported in 2011. The five most prevalent countries of origin of potential victims of trafficking were Romania, Poland, Nigeria, Vietnam and Hungary.
Police say last night's raids focused on sexual exploitation, but human traffickers can also use force, fraud or coercion for the purposes of forced labour, domestic servitude, benefit fraud or organ harvesting.
Anyone with information should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Dial 999 in emergencies.
