Man arrested after brothel raid

A 59-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the management of a brothel in a Tyneside town.

Police closed a brothel in Blyth where it was suspected prostitution, money laundering and immigration offences were being committed.

Officers made the arrest after attending the premises in Stanley Street, Blyth.

Police said they acted on community intelligence. The arrest was part of a multi-agency operation.

The ongoing coordinated campaign led by Northumbria Police involves the Regional Intelligence Unit with support from UK Border Agency (UKBA) and the UK Human Trafficking Centre (UKHTC).

Blyth Neighbourhood Inspector David Felton said: "There are a relatively small number of brothels in the region, however the human suffering and exploitation involved in trafficking women for organised prostitution is still considerable."