Illegal brothel to be closed in Birmingham city centre for the second time

An illegal brothel in Birmingham will be closed after closure order for the premises were secured by police. The brothel was located in Birmingham city centre.

West Midlands Police worked with partners to take action after discovering Resthouse Massage in Station Street was operating as an illegal sex establishment.

The premises were initially told to shut down after police found them 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. West Midlands Police then joined forces with partners - such as Birmingham City Council and Women’s Aid - to prevent such activity and safeguard those who were being exploited to work there.

West Midlands Police said: “We 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, and we’ll monitor them to ensure they do.

“We’re carrying out further enquiries with the landlord as we investigate how illegal establishments were operated from the site. 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.”