POLICE swooped on 30 premises in the county as part of a national campaign aimed at stamping out trafficking people into the sex trade.

Twenty-four people were arrested as a series of raids were carried out at various locations, including a massage parlour and a medical centre.

Of those arrested, 11 are being held on suspicion of immigration offences. They have been passed to the Immigration Service for further investigation.

Twelve people were arrested on suspicion of managing a brothel and one person on suspicion of money laundering.

The intention of the operation was to find sex workers that may have been forced into prostitution against their will and provide a safe and effective opportunity for them to get help.

Det Ch Insp Robert Graham, who is co-ordinating the operation in Kent, said: "We have a message to those who believe they can continue targeting those who are sometimes in a susceptible and desperate situation, and are forced into a life of which they had no choice.

"Kent Police will not tolerate this unacceptable and inhumane treatment of vulnerable people."