Six Thais charged with human smuggling in UK

Of the nine; five men and four women, at least six are Thai nationals. They were held after raids by Metropolitan Police vice squad officers on addresses in London and Surrey on Saturday night and Sunday morning.

All are charged with conspiracy to traffic women within the UK for sexual exploitation, conspiracy to control prostitution and money laundering.

They are: Pongpoj Pitayatanakul, 31, Bordee Pitayatanakul, 32, and Monthira Duangthip, 35, who were living in Guildford, Surrey; Panya Peakaew, 25, from Paddington, Noppaarat Charoenying, 29, Graipich Vudto, 27, all from Paddington; Cuttima Khongpong from Streatham and Kaewbenjarkarn Phanusak, from Streatham, whose ages are unknown; and Jirapha Siwisha, 40, from Brent Cross.

All will appear before City of London Magistrates on Tuesday.

During the raids, police removed 30 women who they believe had been coerced into working as prostitutes.

Police believe a criminal network had been using an internet escort agency site as a front for organised prostitution