A MAN and two women were arrested in a raid on a suspected brothel.

Police swooped on the Brighton Belles massage parlour in Hove.

The 58-year-old man and two women aged 56 and 53 were arrested on suspicion of running a brothel and human trafficking. One arrest was made at the site in Waterloo Street and two were arrested at another address in Hove.

The man and the older woman were also held on suspicion of having a Taser-style stun gun.

One resident, who lives nearby and asked not to be named, said she was surprised to hear there had been arrests made.

She said: “I’m really shocked to hear that the police have been here and that they have made arrests.

“I never saw them come here and have never had any reason to think anything has been going on.

“I’ve lived here since march.

“It’s a lovely street to live in and I’ve not seen any trouble here since I moved in.

“I can’t believe it.”

A Sussex Police spokesman said: “Three people have been arrested by police investigating a number of alleged offences at an adults’ club in Waterloo Street, Hove.

A 58-year-old man and a 56-year-old woman, both from Hove, and a 53-year-old woman from Brighton, were arrested on Wednesday, December 12 on suspicion of causing or inciting prostitution for gain; keeping a brothel; controlling prostitution for gain; keeping or managing a brothel used for prostitution; and arranging or facilitating travel of another person with a view to exploitation.

“The man and the 56-year-old woman were additionally arrested on suspicion of possessing a weapon for the discharge of an electrical incapacitate.

“All three have been released under investigation.”

Being a prostitute is legal in the UK.

But the law states it is an offence for a person in a street or public place to solicit another for the purpose of obtaining their sexual services as a prostitute.

It is also illegal to cause or incite prostitution for gain or to pay for the sexual services of a prostitute subjected to force.