Seven ‘rescued’ in North East brothel raids

Mar 13 2009 by Adam Jupp and Laura Caroe, The Journal

Teamwork

THE brothel raids took place across the North East. Officers from the Northumbria, Durham and Cleveland forces teamed up with the UK Border Agency (UKBA) and UK Human Trafficking Centre (UKHTC) for Operation Caspian.

Houses on Tavistock Road, Jesmond, and Hartington Street and Walter Terrace, both Arthur’s Hill, Newcastle, were searched, along with ones on Rawling Road, Bensham, Gateshead, and Rutland Street, Sunderland, as well as premises in Middlesbrough and Darlington.

Those arrested have been picked up for offences of controlling prostitution, money laundering and immigration offences and inquiries are ongoing.

Among those arrested were a 25-year-old woman, of Sandringham Road, West London, and a 54-year-old woman, of Eastborne Avenue, Gateshead, both arrested in Gateshead. A 33-year-old man of Walter Street, Newcastle, was held, along with a 60-year-old woman of Rutland Street, Sunderland.

A 36-year-old man, of no fixed address, was also arrested in Sunderland and all are being questioned on suspicion of controlling prostitution for gain and money laundering.

Seven Chinese women were "rescued" as part of the operation and they are being treated as victims on a people smuggling operation. There are no plans to arrest them.

Northumbria Police Det Insp George Duff said: "Organised prostitution is a national not a local issue and that is why we have carried out this multi-agency operation to target those who seek to profit from exploitation.

"There are a relatively small number of brothels in the North East compared to some parts of the country, however the human suffering and exploitation involved in trafficking women for organised prostitution is still considerable."

Durham Police Acting Detective Inspector Neville Carman: "Organised brothels are not common in the Durham force area. It is important we take action whenever the opportunity arises, particularly when they are in residential areas."