Operation Radium, part of a national campaign, was publicly launched last August in a bid to halt the trade and rescue the victims.

During the operation, officers have freed 12 people – nine adults and three children – and visited 119 premises.
Detective Chief Inspector Kevin Vanterpool, who led the operation, said: "Our operation has proved a real success and has meant we have rescued 12 victims from a life of exploitation.

"We have also arrested 41 people, which has had an impact on the sex trafficking trade and those behind it.

"Although the national campaign is now over, work in Cambridgeshire will continue to target those involved in human trafficking and their victims.

"I would continue to urge the public to remain vigilant to the activities in their neighbourhood and report anything suspicious that they think may be linked to the human trafficking trade."

Operation Radium kicked off with an appeal for information about brothels and the criminal gangs responsible for enslaving those made to work in them.

It is thought they are lured here from Eastern Europe, the Far East and Africa with false promises of lucrative jobs.

Under Operation Radium, five people have so far been charged in connection with trafficking and 23 people have been dealt with by the Immigration Service.