Police warning over ‘pop-up brothels’ in holiday homes

Police investigating 50 suspected pop-up brothels in holiday homes in the West Country are urging property owners to report any suspicious activity at their lettings.

The Avon and Somerset constabulary says almost half of the reports about human trafficking and modern slavery that the force received in August related to the exploitation of women and girls in off-street prostitution, The Guardian reports.

Operating from short-term rental properties that can be booked online makes it easier for sex traders to avoid detection, particulary at lettings where “short-term occupants do not interact with hosts during the stay”, adds the Somerset Live news site.

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“Vulnerable women are being enslaved and exploited for sex within pop-up brothels,” said Sergeant Emma Slade, who is responsible for policing prostitution in Avon and Somerset.

“They are isolated and suffer terrible abuse. Many of the women are recruited and trafficked on false promises of legitimate work but find themselves in a very different circumstance.”

Police making safeguarding visits to brothels found women from the Far East and Eastern Europe who could not speak any English and did not know how to contact the emergency services.

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Signs to look out for:

Avon and Somerset police have issued a checklist of signs that might indicate a property is being used as a pop-up brothel:

• Multiple women staying under one roof or a large number of women regularly being brought to and taken from the property
• Occupants may not be the people who initially booked the property or may change regularly during the stay
• Different men calling at the property (both day and night) and staying for only a short period of time
• Property windows blacked out or curtains constantly closed
• Sudden increase in residential waste at a property or more waste than would be expected for the number of tenants
• Tenant may request to pay in cash or ask to make arrangements offline
• Occupants may lack personal effects or identification documents
• Occupants may appear to be malnourished, unkempt or withdrawn
• Occupants may be kept isolated and seem to be under the control or influence of others
• Occupants may avoid eye contact, appear frightened or be hesitant to meet in person to collect property keys

“We would encourage property hosts or nearby residents to remain vigilant and report any activity that appears unusual or suspicious at short-term rental premises. We rely on the intelligence that we receive from the public and even the smallest piece of information can help us to build a picture,” said Slade.–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––