Arrests in sex trafficking probe

Nine people have been arrested after a series of raids on 10 suspected brothels in Devon and Cornwall.

The seven women and two men were arrested on suspicion of offences in connection with running a brothel.

The week of raids was part of Operation Pentameter - a national operation aimed at targeting people trafficking.

Twelve sex workers, all foreign nationals, were taken into protective custody but 11 told officers they had not been working against their will.

The sex workers were from England, Korea, Latvia, the Czech Republic and Thailand.

One woman from China remains in protective custody after telling officers she had been coerced into sex work.

Police raided addresses in St Austell, Truro, the Torbay area, Plymouth, Whimple and Exeter.

More than £12,000 in cash was also seized.

The first Operation Pentameter in 2006 freed 84 women and teenage girls from brothels and massage parlours and led to 232 arrests.

It also led to the creation of the Human Trafficking Centre, aimed at stopping the trade and supporting victims.