Police and the Immigration Service swooped on a property in Basingstoke in Hampshire, making several arrests.

Another address in the town and two others in London were also raided under the national "Operation Allsop".

On Monday, a property in Southampton was raided by police, as part of a separate people trafficking operation.

The search warrants executed on Tuesday were obtained under Section 8 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984.

The police must be more proactive in dealing with those who profit from prostitution by exploitation Ben Chivers, acting detective sergeant

Supt Paul Netherton, Basingstoke police commander, said: "It [the raids] balances the need to respond to the wishes of local communities, protecting those individuals involved who are being exploited and prosecuting criminals who profit from prostitution."

Det Sgt Ben Chivers, who led the investigation and co-ordinated the raid, said: "The police must be more proactive in dealing with those who profit from prostitution by exploitation.

"Of particular importance are children and those trafficked both from abroad and within the country.

"It is also incumbent on us to ensure those who are involved in prostitution have the confidence to come to us when they have been the victim of such coercion, or indeed abuse or assault by anyone."

Officers from Aldershot and the Force Support Unit also took part in the raids.