Police close Birmingham brothel
Resthouse Massage has been closed down.
A brothel in Birmingham that was masquerading as a massage parlour has been closed.
Officers secured a closure order after discovering Resthouse Massage in Station Street was operating as an illegal sex establishment.
The premises were initially told to shut down after it was found to being used as a brothel, under the guise of a massage parlour and different name, last autumn.
However, police then received information a brothel had again opened up inside the building leading them to join forces with Birmingham City Council and Women's Aid to prevent such activity and safeguard those who were being exploited to work there.
Officers successfully secured a closure order under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act at Birmingham Magistrates Court on 25 August.
The court order means the premises must remain closed for the next three months, with police monitoring it in this time.
Detectives are carrying out further enquiries with the landlord as they investigate how illegal establishments were operated from the site.
West Midlands Police said: "Sadly, we know there are women who are exploited and forced into the sex industry, and be the victims of organised crime, and we carry out a range of proactive action to target those criminals.
"We work alongside a wide number of agencies to identify vulnerability, and ensure safeguarding and support is available."