Police have arrested seven people in connection with sex trafficking in Swindon and South Wales.

At 3.53pm on Monday 23 June, 2008 an anonymous telephone call was made to Wiltshire Police by someone concerned for the welfare of a woman known only as Lily at an address in Armstrong Street, Swindon.

Within an hour officers had executed a warrant at the address and arrested two women aged 39 and 36-years-old on suspicion of being in the country illegally.

While officers were at the address they saw a man acting suspiciously in a car nearby. The vehicle was stopped and following a search of the vehicle the 41-year-old man from Reading was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in running a brothel.

Two further warrants were also executed in County Road, Swindon and at an address in South Wales.

Two women aged 48 and 39-years-old were arrested together with a 35-year-old man for various offences including involvement in running a brothel at County Road. A 47-year-old woman was also arrested in South Wales.

Those people who have been arrested are in custody at Gablecross Police Station.

The named woman Lily was not found and police do not have a detailed description of her.

But it is known that she works as a prostitute from an address in Armstrong Street and it maybe that someone knows where she is.

Detective Inspector Paul Jennings said: "On Monday a man rang us because he was worried and concerned about Lily. We need to speak to this man again as he could have important information that will assist us identify and locate her.

"I personally ask him to get in touch with the police and can reassure him that we will treat any information he provides in strictest confidence.

"Our investigation suggests that vulnerable foreign women are being forced to work in brothels against their will although instances of this type have been incredibly rare in Wiltshire.

"There is intelligence that suggests that young foreign women are exploited and we will not tolerate this. On receipt of information which suggests that exploitation in this manner is happening we will take quick, decisive and positive action to intervene, arrest and convict the perpetrators.

"On this occasion our quick and robust actions show how seriously the police deal with these incidents. I appeal for anyone who has information concerning the running of brothels in Swindon and most importantly has information which helps police safely locate Lily to come forward."

Anyone with information should contact Wiltshire Police on 0845 408 7000 or phone Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555111.