13 arrests in Soho club raids

Scotland Yard said the premises were unlicensed

Police have arrested 13 people after raiding three strip clubs in central London.

The Soho premises, which are known as "near beers", have all been closed down following a police investigation lasting several months.

Police made a number of arrests

Scotland Yard said those arrested on Thursday night are suspected of being linked to robberies, blackmail and unlicensed sex shops.

Twelve people, from three different addresses, were arrested on suspicion of deception and another man was arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods and immigration offences.

They are all being held at central London police stations.

The investigation has focused on concerns that clubs are increasingly luring tourists and drunken passers-by with promises of a live strip show.

However, on entering they are presented with a bill of up to £500 before seeing anything.

If they resist, they are intimidated and threatened.

Signs dismantled

News of the raids came as Anthony Child, an ice hockey player with the Romford Raiders, was convicted of threatening two men who entered a strip joint in Soho.

Southwark Crown Court heard part-time security guard Child, 22, warned the men that, unless they paid, he would "break every bone in your bodies".

My message to anyone thinking of setting up this type of venue is don't - we will stop you

Detective Chief Inspector Eddie Thompson

He received 200 hours community service.

The three premises subject to Thursday night's raid have been boarded up and their signs dismantled.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "Near beers claim to offer entertainment in the form of striptease and customers are invited in for a fee usually of about £5 to see a performance.

"They are unlicensed premises and cannot legally perform any entertainment.

"However, it is never their intention to supply any as once the customer is inside, a bill of £400 or more is usually presented."

Safe area

Westminster City Council took part in the same operation and raided three unlicensed sex shops seizing more than 1,000 videos and DVDS.

Councillor Alan Bradley, from the council, told BBC London there had always been vice and sex in Soho.

But, he added: "The important thing is not to have places that will rip off tourists by demanding money with menaces."

Detective Chief Inspector Eddie Thompson, of West End Central Police, said: "Soho continues to be one of the safest areas in London to visit and we want to keep it that way.

"My message to anyone thinking of setting up this type of venue is don't - we will stop you.

"If anyone is thinking of visiting such a premises - don't as you may become a victim of crime."