Police close West End 'brothel'

A lap-dancing club in central London has been closed by police who suspected it was being run as a brothel.

Five men and two women were arrested in raids on the Capricorn Club, on Goodge Street, plus eight other locations across London and Essex.

Cocaine, a knife and a knuckle-duster were seized, plus £26,000 in cash, following a six-month police operation.

The Metropolitan Police said sex was sold for up to £250 a time at the venue and said drugs were also available.

Three men - aged 45, 63 and 69 - were detained at the club.

A 44-year-old man was arrested in Holloway, north London, while a 55-year-old man was held in Stansted, Essex.

Police also detained a woman in her 50s in Mitcham, south London, and a 49-year-old woman in Hendon, north-west London.