SEVEN people are in custody and eight people are being cared for by specialist officers after a Kent Police operation to target people trafficking and the sex trade.

Early on Thursday morning more than 100 police officers from across the county visited 11 addresses in Margate, Ramsgate, Canterbury, Herne Bay and Sittingbourne where warrants were executed.

Detailed searches of those properties were carried out. Four of the addresses are understood to have been used as brothels. The other locations are believed to be home addresses of people suspected of being involved in the crimes. Police say further arrests are anticipated.

In the lead up to the operation, dedicated officers gathered significant evidence and information about women being coerced into the sex industry, the majority from countries outside the UK.

A Kent Police spokesman said: "This is part of the nationwide campaign Operation Pentameter 2, led by the Association of Chief Police Officers and the Home Office, which aims to protect vulnerable people being exploited by organised criminal groups. Kent Police is playing an active role.

"The seven people have been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to traffic women for sexual exploitation and conspiracy to control the activity of prostitutes for gain or money laundering, together with drug offences.

Thousands of pounds in cash have also been recovered.

East Kent Superintendent Chris Hogben said: "This is an ongoing operation into a disgusting trade. The individuals who engage in it are at the very bottom of society.

"Disrupting their activities is an absolute priority for us. Personally, it will give me great satisfaction to hurt these criminals by stripping them of assets which could total hundreds of thousands of pounds and which they will struggle to prove were gained by legitimate means. That will inflict the most pain.

"What is of paramount importance is to ensure the victims of these crimes are cared for and their safety secured. The support is there for them to escape this terrible existence."

Anyone with any information about trafficking is urged to contact Kent Police on 01622 690690 or Kent Crimestoppers, free and anonymously, on 0800 555 111. In an emergency, always dial 999.