SUSPECTED brothels have been raided by police in a crackdown on prostitution in the town.

One woman was arrested and a sum of cash seized after two warrants were executed in Mill Street, Slough, on Saturday, following information received by the community.

Police found two women in each of the properties and seized documentary and electronic evidence as well as the cash.

The woman in her 20s was arrested on suspicion of being in possession of a prohibited weapon, namely pepper spray, and was released on bail. The raids were part of Operation Catterick, which was launched more than a year ago to tackle prostitution and related anti-social behaviour in the Farnham, Baylis and Stoke areas, as well as target kerb crawlers.

Detective chief inspector Jim Reeves, from Slough Police Station, said: “The issue of street prostitution, kerb crawlers, brothels and any other associated anti-social behaviour continues to be a priority for police and their partners in specific areas of Slough.

“We are fully aware of the impact such activity can have on local residents and are committed to doing all we can to tackle such issues. A lot of work continues to take place behind the scenes by officers continually reviewing information received and deciding the best course of action.” Another brothel was closed down in June, and two Chinese nationals arrested for immigration offences. A substantial quantity of money was also seized.

Police have executed five warrants at suspected brothels in the last few months with large amounts of cash seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Last month, an undercover investigation by The Observer lifted the lid on the town’s seedy sex trade, exposing a brothel near a school, prostitutes offering their services for £80 per hour and a website touting hookers to recruit women.

Prostitution remains high on the police agenda and officers are still looking for the people who run the suspected brothels.

The operation follows operations Circle and Chevron in 2010 and 2011, which saw the arrest and conviction of more than 50 men for soliciting prostitutes.

A number of warning letters have also been sent to the registered owners of vehicles seen by CCTV approaching prostitutes in the area, and some have been dealt with through restorative justice.

Prostitution is legal in the UK, but related activities such as soliciting in a public place, kerb crawling, owning or managing a brothel and pimping are crimes.

If you suspect any illegal activity contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.