POLICE from the Sexual Exploitation Investigation Unit visited three massage parlours in the city as part of an operation to crack down on the off-street sex trade.

They were looking for lists of sexual services and prices that could indicate the businesses were being run as a brothel, as well as girls who are underage or have been trafficked into the country.

All three businesses visited yesterday – in Sneinton and Lenton – were found to be legitimate.

"It was a successful operation," said Detective Inspector Ian Winton. "We've seen that the premises seem to be acting legitimately which is good.

"It's also a good deterrent for the premises and the girls working there. It shows them that they need to be open and above board because of visits they may get by the police and council."

DC James Robinson said brothels can exist in a variety of buildings – from shops to terrace houses – and are often in easily accessible locations.

"We look for signs inside advertising anything sexual," he said.

"We ask them how the business is run and look for customers and answers from them that would back up what the staff are saying.

"They should be happy for us to check if they have done nothing wrong."

Officers from the Department of Work and Pensions joined police yesterday to investigate if the girls working were also claiming benefits.

DI Winton said officers try to take an overt approach, knocking on the door to ask if they can check the premises and whether the business has a licence, but sometimes undercover officers are used.

Georgina Humphreys runs Bubbles in Sneinton – one of the massage parlours visited by officers yesterday – which also has a branch in Derby.

She welcomed the checks as the presumption that all massage parlours offer sex has affected her business.

"I think this industry needs some kind of enforcement," said Mrs Humphreys, 43.

"There are a lot of underage girls looking for work and illegal immigrants have come in with no paperwork.

"We find it hard in Nottingham because the majority of clients that come through the door are asking for sex.

"We get requests for sex all the time – from women clients too."

claire.carter@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk