Months of police inquiries culminated in the raids on two addresses in Kirkstall. Police also raided the homes of the businesses owners in Calverley, Leeds, and Sheffield.

Arrests were made on suspicion of keeping a brothel for purposes of prostitution and money laundering.

Quantities of cash were found at Gemini Studio at the Bridge Road/Commercial Road junction and at Sensations massage parlour at the rear of shops in Kirkstall Road near Cardigan Lane.

Around 25 police carried out the raids, among them local officers, CID and financial investigators.

At Sensations those arrested include one of the owners – a grey haired middle-aged man – and three women employed there. A woman owner of Sensations was arrested at her home in Woodhall Road, Calverley.

Statement

A man – believed to be a client – was found on the premises during the morning raid. He was not arrested but was released after giving a detailed statement to police.

A computer was also removed from the building.

In the later raid at Gemini a young blonde woman employee was arrested along with another older woman believed to be the owner of the business. Her home in Sheffield was also searched by police as part of the investigation.

Insp Ian Croft of Inner North West Leeds neighbourhood police team said that the premises had been under observation for months.

He said that the police had received a number of reports from membes of the public about activity at the two addresses. "The message we want to send out to the public is that we are listening to their concerns raised in local forums and will take positive action to deal with offences," he added.