Four held over brothel probe in Shirley Road, Shirley; Golden Grove, St Mary's; and The Polygon

Officers raided three properties across the city centre suspected of being connected with modern-day slavery.

A woman and three men were detained on suspicion of offences under the sexual offences act.

The quartet were held on suspicion of keeping or managing a brothel for prostitution and have been bailed until January 13.

Three are men aged 28, 29 and 30 years and the other is a 32-year-old woman.

Warrants were executed and searches carried out at addresses on Wednesday in Shirley Road, Shirley; Golden Grove, St Mary's; and The Polygon.

A police spokeswoman said they are investigating whether the premises were being used as brothels.

"We have three premises of interest where we executed warrants. It is part of the investigation to establish exactly what has been going on where. We have ongoing work that we are undertaking around modern day slavery and these (raids) would have been as a result of that.

"We have disrupted and arrested people connected with those addresses as part of the warrant. It may be more than one (was being used as a brothel) it may be things are not exactly what it appears."

The police are working with partners, such as social services and charities, to ensure anyone who may be at risk is identified and given support and protection.

Detective Inspector Matthew Barcraft-Barnes, of the Western Investigation Team, said: “We have made a number of arrests as part of this operation and continue to investigate activity at these premises."

He added: “We would encourage anyone who has information which could assist us to come forward.”

Anyone with information should contact police on 101 quoting Operation Brick.

Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Hampshire police have been focussing on modern day slavery since 2013 and last year the Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Hayes launched the Modern Slavery Partnership to raise awareness of the issue.