Five arrested after raid on suspected brothel
Police raided a shop in Chester-le-Street
- Published
Five people have been arrested after a suspected brothel was raided by police.
Officers searched the commercial premises on Front Street in Chester-le-Street, County Durham, at about 07:00 BST on Wednesday.
Two men, aged 63 and 28, and two women, aged 47 and 20, were arrested on suspicion of human trafficking for sexual exploitation and taken into custody for questioning.
A third man, aged 43, was also arrested on suspicion of human trafficking for sexual exploitation after a second raid on an address in Southport, Merseyside.
Ch Insp Alfie Keane, of Durham Constabulary, said officers would remain at both addresses while search teams continued to examine the properties.
Search teams have remained at the Chester-le-Street site throughout the day and a closure order has been issued.
Follow ´óÏó´«Ã½ North East on , and . Send your story ideas to northeastandcumbria@bbc.co.uk.