A SUSPECTED brothel has been raided in East London by detectives under new sexual offences legislation which came into force yesterday. Two men have been held on suspicion of paying for the sexual services of a prostitute who had been subjected to force, the woman on suspicion of managing a brothel

A SUSPECTED brothel has been raided in East London by detectives from the Met's Human Exploitation & Organised Crime command under new sexual offences legislation which came into force yesterday (Thurs).

Three men in their 30s and a 25-year-old woman were arrested at an address in Southend Road, East Ham, in a targeted operation.

Two of the men have been held on suspicion of paying for the sexual services of a prostitute who had been subjected to force, the woman on suspicion of managing a brothel, Scotland Yard confirmed last night. The third man was cautioned.

Det Ins Kevin Hyland said: "The new legislation means those who pay for sex in brothels can appear before the courts, which we hope will act as a deterrent to others."

Paying for the sexual services of a prostitute subjected to force is a new offence which came into effect on April 1.

It is now illegal if a man promises payment for sexual services of a prostitute, or if a pimp is involved in exploitation likely to induce or encourage a woman to provide men with sex for the promise of money or be engaged in conduct with the expectation of gain for another.