POLICE have this morning (Thursday) raided a massage parlour in Somerset they suspected of being used as a brothel.

Officers also executed a second warrant at a home nearby just after 8am.

They entered the Butterfly's massage venue in Alexandra Parade, Weston-super-Mare, and a residential property in the Hewish area.

Sgt Mark Jenkinson said: “Today’s warrants are the result of a lengthy and ongoing investigation into offences of money laundering and the running of a brothel.

“We attended the premises in Alexandra Parade with workers from the charity Unseen and members of our Anti-Social Behaviour team.

“We have safeguarded two women found at this location and they will be offered all the support they need.

“The priority for us is to gather evidence at these locations and while no arrests have been made, the investigation into potential criminal offences is continuing.

“We take our safeguarding concerns extremely seriously and will always take positive and robust action to investigate criminal offences and protect the vulnerable and exploited.”