A woman working in a brothel raided by police said she is only in the UK to provide a better future for her children.

Harrow Police raided two properties in Rayners Lane on intelligence they were being used as brothels.

Four women were found to be working in a flat above a charity shop and two women were found in a house in Imperial Drive.

One of the women working at the house was from the Romanian city Constanța and has been in the UK for seven months.

The 26-year-old, who did not wish to be named, said: “I came to this country because things are so bad in back home.

“I have three children here I am doing this because I want to provide a better life for my children.

“I don’t want to stay here. I want to raise enough money so I can go back home and start my own business.”

She said she earns up to £2,000 a week and all three of her children are in the UK staying with family friends in Harrow-on-the-Hill.

Both brothels were closed down by police and no arrests were made.

The raids were part of a joined up day of action led by Harrow Borough Council, with the police London Fire Brigade and voluntary groups.

The leader of Harrow Borough Council, Susan Hall, who was out for the day of action, said: “This shows the fantastic work of our police and raids like this are a positive step towards making Harrow as safe as possible.”

Harrow Borough Commander Simon Ovens said: “Today is another example of the successful work between the police, the local authority and other partner agencies.

“It is very important we shut down brothels which are causing anti-social behaviour and disruption to people’s lives.

“One of these houses in a suburban road and it is not nice for residents who have to deal with the customers arriving day and night.

“We will always take robust action to shut down these brothels to make Harrow the safest borough in London.”