Raid believed to be first under brothel bylaw

A suburban Auckland house was raided today in what is believed to be the first time a council has enforced its brothel bylaw since prostitution was decriminalised.

Police, Health, Immigration, Inland Revenue and North Shore City Council officers were involved in the operation to close down an unlicensed Glenfield brothel.

Like other local authorities, North Shore council has passed a bylaw controlling the location and other aspects of brothels since the Prostitution Reform Act came into force two years ago.

It believed the action today marked the first time a council had enforced its bylaw.

Council environmental protection team leader Warwick Robertson said the four-bedroom house had been the focus of repeated complaints from neighbours.

Mr Robertson executed the search warrant this afternoon and, with the help of police, closed down the premises.

He said the bust was the culmination of 18 months' work by different agencies.

"We've been receiving complaints from neighbours since January 2004 about the heavy traffic outside and the activities inside," he said.

"In addition, health authorities have a number of concerns about hygiene, while the immigration people want to talk to the Asian women working at the address. The taxman would also like to know where the proceeds of the enterprise are going."

The council hired private detectives to gather evidence as part of building its case for prosecution.

Under the North Shore bylaw, brothels cannot be established or operated within 250 metres of residential zones.

They must also be more than 125m away from existing brothels, educational facilities, places of worship, community facilities and major public transport interchanges.

Brothels also had to be licensed by the council.

Breaches of the bylaw carried a maximum fine of $20,000.

- NZPA