Three individuals have admitted to running a network of brothels following a major investigation by the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU).
Khondakar Hasan, 39, along with Liu Xu Hopkins, 55, and Benjamin Hopkins, 56, pleaded guilty at Bristol Crown Court on November 21 to conspiracy to control prostitution for gain. All three have been remanded in custody while they await sentencing.
The convictions follow police raids on seven massage parlours across Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, and Reading. The investigation was initially sparked by community reports regarding suspicious activity at two businesses in Chippenham. These premises have since been legally ordered to close.
DCI Adam Smith of SWROCU emphasized the critical role of public vigilance, stating that the case began solely because residents chose to speak up rather than "turn a blind eye."
Chippenham Neighbourhood Sergeant Jamie Ball echoed these sentiments, thanking the community for their support. He noted that the investigation has directly resulted in the safeguarding of vulnerable women. Police continue to monitor the closed sites in Chippenham to ensure compliance with court orders.