POLICE have smashed an alleged brothel ring in a plush apartment block in Glasgow.

The Evening Times joined more than 50 officers as they raided four flats allegedly used as brothels in the city centre.

Eight people, including a teenager, were detained in connection with alleged brothel-keeping and questioned by police.

Police swooped on Variety Gate, in Bath Street, yesterday afternoon and were at the block for several hours conducting interviews and searching properties.

Four Eastern European women, aged 18, 21, 23 and 38, were detained from one flat.

A 44-year-old man found in that property was also detained.

The Evening Times watched as another two females, aged 31 and 47, were taken out of the flats and into a waiting police van. Both women are believed to be from Spain.

A 36-year-old woman, believed to be a British national, had been alone when police, backed by officers from a variety of agencies, swooped on one flat.

All eight people were taken to Govan police office for questioning.

During the search of one of the flats, police recovered what is believed to be a quantity of cannabis.

The flats, in the heart of the city centre, look out over busy Bath Street and Sauchiehall Street.

The Evening Times attended the mid-morning briefing at Stewart Street police office, where teams were told of the plans to raid the flats.

In the lead-up to the swoop, undercover officers had put the block under surveillance and found several men visiting the flats regularly.

They noted the block was particularly busy at lunch time.

Officers, including Constable Joanne Matulevicze, spent months gathering intelligence about the flats.

She said: "Sometimes people feel they report concerns and nothing is done.

"However, this operation shows action will be taken and it could not have been possible without initial reports from residents.

"If anyone has any concerns, I would urge them to contact us with information."

Chief Inspector Alan Porte, area commander for the city centre, said the raids were part of a major investigation into serious and organised crime groups.

He said: "These are not just random searches. They are part of an intelligence-led operation that originated from concerns raised by local people.

"The operation sends a clear message to anyone thinking about getting involved in serious and organised crime.

"It also shows residents we will take their concerns on board - and take action.

"We will target and disrupt the activities of those involved in serious and organised crime.

"And we will continue to work to keep people safe."

Detectives are carrying out further inquiries to find out who may have been running the alleged brothels.

Brothels can be advertised through text messages to mobile phones, as well as through newspapers and the internet.

After yesterday's searches, police put leaflets through other properties within the block of flats.

They want people to tell police about possible brothels.

Officers want to know about flats where there are regular but short visits by men at all times of the day and night.

Chief Inspector Porte stressed the importance of residents reporting their concerns to community officers.

He added: "Without calls from the community, this successful operation would not have been possible.

"It is vital people report any issues to police.

"The message to anyone thinking of getting involved in running brothels: you will be arrested and subjected to the full rigour of the law."

rebecca.gray@ eveningtimes.co.uk