POP-up brothels are operating in Barrow, a police chief has warned.

Peter McCall, Cumbria's Police and Crime Commissioner, revealed a number of reports are under investigation.

Pop-up brothels are residential properties used for the sex trade for a short period of time, making it more difficult for them to be discovered by police.

A meeting of the county council’s local committee revealed police were investigating several pop-up brothels across Cumbria, with hotel staff among those reporting girls working in rooms on their premises.

Mr McCall said the public needed to be aware of spotting the signs of a brothel.

He said: “I’m aware there have been reports of pop-up brothels in the county, including Barrow.

“We do need people to be aware of this so they can look out for the signs.

“The folk who run these prey on vulnerable people and have no qualms abusing anyone.

“If you see something which doesn’t look right, perhaps there are lots of people coming in and out of one building, then report it.”

Mr McCall said the public was a ‘lot more alive to these issues today'.

“Because these issues are more publicised, more members of the public are aware of it,” he said.

“Modern slavery exists among us and we need to educate more people on spotting the signs and reporting it.”

Reports of pop-up brothels previously arose in south Cumbria three years ago.

Detective said they had seen increased reports of criminal gangs booking accommodation for two or three days and using them as temporary brothels.

Officers had received several reports of pop-up brothels in the Lake District but said the problem could be going on undetected across the region.

Detective Chief Inspector Nick Coughlan said most of the women involved are victims of human trafficking who have been forced into prostitution.

He appealed for the public’s help to stop their exploiters ‘getting a foothold in Cumbria’.