Thames Valley: Arrests After Raids

17 November 2012, 09:18 | Updated: 17 November 2012, 09:34

Thames Valley Police has carried out raids as part of an operation to target organised crime and seize criminal assets including cash.

Eight warrants were executed by officers as a further part of Operation Sentinel at properties in Reading, Milton Keynes, Slough, Maidenhead and Newbury on Thursday night.

They were conducted under the Proceeds of Crime Act targeting properties suspected to be used for sexual services.
 
The addresses were Coley Avenue in Reading, North Eleventh Street, Witan Gate and North Third Street in Milton Keynes, Cippenham Lane in Slough, Cookham Road in Maidenhead, Service Road in Reading and Newtown Road in Newbury.
 
During the searches, nine people were arrested, more than £12,000 was seized and an amount of US Dollars and euros were also recovered. Two women remain in custody. One woman was arrested for immigration offences.
 
Officer in charge of the operation Det Supt David Poole said:

"This was a further stage of Operation Sentinel. So far we have executed 37 search warrants resulting in 34 arrests and 21 cash seizures. An estimated £48,000 in cash, £100,000 of suspected stolen property and controlled drugs including heroin and cannabis have been recovered."
 
"This part of the operation targeted brothels in the region and eight arrests were made for managing or assisting in managing a brothel. This is a local priority for many of the Neighbourhood teams involved."