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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Arrests in sex trafficking probe | Arrests in sex trafficking probe |
| (about 6 hours later) | |
| Nine people have been arrested after a series of raids on 10 suspected brothels in Devon and Cornwall. | Nine people have been arrested after a series of raids on 10 suspected brothels in Devon and Cornwall. |
| The seven women and two men were arrested on suspicion of offences in connection with running a brothel. | The seven women and two men were arrested on suspicion of offences in connection with running a brothel. |
| The week of raids was part of Operation Pentameter - a national operation aimed at targeting people trafficking. | The week of raids was part of Operation Pentameter - a national operation aimed at targeting people trafficking. |
| Twelve sex workers, all foreign nationals, were taken into protective custody but 11 told officers they had not been working against their will. | Twelve sex workers, all foreign nationals, were taken into protective custody but 11 told officers they had not been working against their will. |
| The sex workers were from England, Korea, Latvia, the Czech Republic and Thailand. | The sex workers were from England, Korea, Latvia, the Czech Republic and Thailand. |
| One woman from China remains in protective custody after telling officers she had been coerced into sex work. | One woman from China remains in protective custody after telling officers she had been coerced into sex work. |
| Police raided addresses in St Austell, Truro, the Torbay area, Plymouth, Whimple and Exeter. | Police raided addresses in St Austell, Truro, the Torbay area, Plymouth, Whimple and Exeter. |
| More than £12,000 in cash was also seized. | |
| The first Operation Pentameter in 2006 freed 84 women and teenage girls from brothels and massage parlours and led to 232 arrests. | The first Operation Pentameter in 2006 freed 84 women and teenage girls from brothels and massage parlours and led to 232 arrests. |
| It also led to the creation of the Human Trafficking Centre, aimed at stopping the trade and supporting victims. | It also led to the creation of the Human Trafficking Centre, aimed at stopping the trade and supporting victims. |