Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Arrests as brothels, slave trade and traffickers are targeted
‘The victims are often controlled in such a way that their freedom is taken away from them’
Police have raided suspected brothels in Canterbury in a crackdown on prostitution and slavery.
They arrested a man and a woman at a house in the Wincheap area on suspicion of brothel crimes and raided another house in the city, where they gathered evidence.
Officers say the raids, which took place across Kent, are part of a European-wide week of action linked to sexual exploitation and slavery.
Det Ch Supt Rob Fordham said: “The victims are often controlled in such a way that their freedom is taken away from them and it’s therefore very difficult and rare for victims to come forward.
“Many of them have been forced into prostitution and have their passports, phones and docu- ments taken away.
“They’ve often been subjected to sexual abuse for many days, weeks and sometimes months, and they can also be violently attacked by clients and traffickers.”
On Thursday last week, police raided a house in Priory of St Jacob, a cul-de-sac off Wincheap, where they found two men and three women.
A 21- year- old man was arrested on suspicion of manag- ing a brothel, and a 29-year-old woman was arrested in relation to brothel offences. They have been questioned and bailed until December 21.
The other two women in the house have been offered what police describe as “safeguarding”.
On Wednesday last week, police raided another house in Canterbury, where they found a woman and two men.
No one was arrested, but officers say a significant number of exhibits were seized and intelligence gained.
Raids were also carried out at premises in Margate, Gillingham, Ashford and Gravesend.
In one case a 17-year-old Albanian woman believed to be a victim of trafficking was rescued.
Det Ch Supt Fordham said the two-week police campaign was as much about tackling modern-day slavery as it was about alerting the public to its presence.
He said: “This can happen in any neighbourhood – it could be a flat, bungalow or detached property. Usually the brothels are rented properties and are used for about six months before the traffickers move on.
“Members of the public will normally see a steady stream of male visitors at any time of the day or night who tend to stay for short periods of time.”
Police are also investigating other forms of slavery, including forced labour, domestic servitude and criminal exploitation.
To report cases of slavery, call 101