Nine arrests in sex trade swoop

Nine people have been arrested following a raid on a suspected brothel in Smethwick. Police swooped on a house in Three Shires Oak Road in Bearwood following reports of prostitutes operating at the address.

Five women and four men were arrested during the raid.

Sergeant Lee Nicholls from Windmill House police base said: "We are looking to send a clear message that prostitution, whether it be behind closed doors or on the streets, will not be tolerated."

Five women and two men have been bailed pending further Inquiries.

Two other men have been released without charge.

Details of last Friday's raid have just been released by police. The raid comes after a brothel in Bearwood was targeted by police four years ago.

In August this year Carl Pritchett, 56, from Holbeache Road, Wall Heath was ordered to pay £2 million under the Proceeds of Crime Act for his part in managing Bearwood's Cuddles Massage Parlour.

He was originally jailed for two years in 2006 after the brothel was raided.