SUBURBAN BROTHEL BUST

Police swoop on Highton home amid COVID fears

POLICE have busted a second illegal brothel operating in our suburbs amid coronavirus restrictions.

Officers raided the Highton property on Monday after witnessing a high volume of people entering and exiting the house.

It comes as an Australian Adult Entertainment

Industry spokesman warned more than 300 listings for illegal brothels in Geelong were being advertised through online classified sites.

POLICE have busted a second illegal Geelong brothel amid fears unlicensed sex workers are breaking social distancing regulations and putting community safety at risk.

Officers raided a house in Barrabool Rd, Highton, about 8.15pm on Monday after a high volume of people were seen entering and exiting the premises.

Police spoke to visitors and determined an illegal brothel was operating at the house.

Police fined four people for breaching COVID-19 restrictions and are making further inquiries.

Superintendent Craig Gillard said police would continue to crack down on illegal brothels operating in the region and hold operators to account.

In April, the owner of a Belmont brothel was fined just under $10,000 while an escort was issued with an individual fine of $1600 amid coronavirus restrictions.

This week’s raid comes as Australian Adult Entertainment Industry Inc spokesman William Albon claims more than 300 listings for illegal brothels in Geelong are currently advertised through online classified sites.

“With three legal brothels in Geelong, the problem for the locals would seem a very real problem,” Mr Albon said.

He said the operations were “threatening our lives with COVID-19 infection”.

Mr Albon claimed at least one brothel was operating from a motel in Belmont and another from a private home in Highton.

“Both women were available for booking this afternoon, it was the standard modus operandi, where just like the advertising nothing is left to the imagination,” he said.

Licensed escort Amber said the proliferation of illegal brothels was frustrating for legal sex workers who had abided by health directives despite losing up to 90 per cent of their income.

“The licensed escorts want to keep our families, our communities and especially our clients safe,” Amber said.

“We are not only disadvantaged because we can’t operate, but we are also disadvantaged because there are illegal and unlicensed workers who are operating out of unlicensed premises and are taking our work.”

Police spokeswoman Scout Rigoni said police were aware of a small increase in the number of online advertisements for the provision of sex services outside licensed brothels.

Ms Rigoni said while restrictions of the Chief Health Officer remained in place, police continued to conduct proactive patrols to ensure the public and businesses were complying with the directions.

A Department of Health and Human Services spokesman said under current Chief Health Officer regulations escort services could operate, but brothels and sex-on-premises venues must remain closed.