Police have raided five suspected brothels as part of a national crackdown on human trafficking.

The raids were aimed at targeting criminals involved in exploitation and trafficking across the county.

Officers, working with Home Office Immigration Enforcement, carried out a series of warrants and checks at massage parlours, car washes, traveller sites and takeaways.

At the same time, officers worked with port staff to identify trafficked victims and offenders travelling through the Kent border.

Key sites visited included car washes across the Medway towns and a restaurant in Chatham.

Checks were also carried out at car washes in Canterbury and at one site, officers found seven Romanian employees living in a container at the business premises.

During the month-long operation, police executed several warrants at:

• An address in Seal Road,Sevenoaks.A 61-year-old man from Sevenoaks was arrested on suspicion of brothel offences and bailed to January, 16 pending further enquiries.
• An address in College Road,Maidstone. A 62-year-old woman from Bromley was arrested on suspicion of brothel offences and was bailed to November, 25.
• A warrant was executed at a hotel inMargateand a man was arrested by immigration officers.
• A warrant was carried out in Severn Close,Tonbridge, and a 68-year-old man from the town was arrested on suspicion of brothel offences and was bailed to November, 26.
• Officers attended an address in Frobisher Way,Greenhithe, and arrested a 41-year-old woman on suspicion of drugs and brothel offences. She was bailed to November, 28.

Assistant Chief Constable Matthew Horne of Kent Police said: "A multi-agency approach to tackling this issue is essential to identify and encourage vulnerable victims to come forward and to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.

"Victims of this type of crime often do not know how to get the support they so desperately need" - ACC Matthew Horne

"Victims of this type of crime often do not know how to get the support they so desperately need.

"There are often language difficulties and in some cases, these vulnerable people might not know they are being exploited or are held against their will, living in fear.

"This can make it complex in dealing with hard to reach communities, but we want to encourage any victims to come forward and report it to us and to have the confidence in knowing there is help available.

"While part of our work was to investigate those suspected organised crime gangs who exploit vulnerable people, a significant point of this operation was to ensure the victims know where to turn to in reporting these crimes and how they can access a range of support to escape from what are often chaotic and extremely distressing lifestyles."

Stories you might have missed

Assistant head pocketed thousands meant for pupils

Alert as woman tries to 'lead' child from school

Screams heard as schoolgirl stabbed to death

Casualty star loses cancer battle