SEVEN people were arrested today in raids on suspected brothels in Ipswich and Colchester by police and immigration officials.

SEVEN people were arrested today in raids on suspected brothels in Ipswich and Colchester by police and immigration officials.

Shortly after 1pm, officers swooped at two addresses in Ipswich - one in Mountbatten Court and another in Abbey Court, Bramford Lane.

A 43-year-old female from Ipswich was arrested at Abbey Court on suspicion of managing or controlling a brothel and suspicion of possession with intent to supply a controlled substance.

A 44 year-old male from Ipswich was arrested at Mountbatten Court on suspicion of managing or controlling a brothel.

Both are in custody at Ipswich Police Station.

The raids were part of a joint operation between Ipswich police Licensing and Sexual Exploitation Reduction (LASER) team, Essex Police, the Rebutia East Immigration Control Team and the UK Border Agency.

In Colchester, three women and two men were arrested after raiding five addresses.

They were arrested on suspicion of numerous offences including managing or controlling a brothel, trafficking and money laundering. One woman from Thailand was taken in to police care over concern that she had been trafficked into the county.

Sergeant Neil Boast said, “This is ongoing work by the LASER team and our partner agencies to tackle off street prostitution and human trafficking. We will continue to carry out these operations where we have information to suggest that offences are taking place.”

Following the deaths of five sex workers in Ipswich in December 2006, a multi-agency response group was established including Suffolk Police, Ipswich Borough Council, Suffolk County Council, Primary Care Trust, Suffolk Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust and Suffolk Probation to tackle the strategic issues involved.

As a result the 'Make A Change ' team was established. This team includes staff from Suffolk County Council and Suffolk Constabulary and works across adult and children's services.

The team works closely with key agencies such as drug treatment agencies, health, housing and the Drug and Alcohol Team (DAAT) in order to enable women involved with both on and off street prostitution with a view to helping them exit a harmful and chaotic lifestyle.