A man and a woman have been arrested in Hendon as part of a crackdown on a prostitution ring exploiting foreign women over the internet.

In total 15 people across London were arrested and 19 addresses believed to be being used as brothels were searched by more than 100 police officers in the operation which began yesterday evening.

So far 30 women have been removed from the addresses and taken to a specialist centre staffed with interpreters, non-government support organisations and health workers.

A large quantity of cash was also retrieved.

Operation Gib, in conjunction with Norfolk and Surrey Police, began last December following police intelligence. It is believed that the women involved were being advertised on a website.

Chief Superintendent Ian Dyson, in charge of the clubs and vice unit said: "My officers are now working with specialist support staff to speak to all of the women we have recovered to find out how they have come to this country and what they understood before they arrived.

"We believe this gang have been running women of their own but also acting on behalf of other pimps selling on their women. This operation was designed to break down the criminal network exploiting these women."

The woman was arrested in Hendon on suspicion of trafficking within and into the UK and controlling prostitution while the man was arrested on suspicion of trafficking within the UK.

All those arrested are in custody at a central London police station.

The operation is ongoing with further warrants expected to be executed over the coming days.