The manager said a string of girls have quit their jobs amid fears for their safety as police hunt the culprits - and believes the gang is targeting brothels across Redbridge and east London.Gang of men threatened prostitutes with guns and knives while robbing a brothel three times in a week.She said security had been stepped up since the incidents - at 7.40pm on Thursday, October 30, 5.30pm on Tuesday, November 4, and 6.30pm on November 5.The boss, who asked to remain anonymous through fear of reprisals, said: "It was the same bunch of guys every time. They kick the doors down and say they will use weapons. Even though we couldn't see any, who wants to take that risk?"Each time they took money, the girls' mobile phones and laptops. Luckily I don't keep large amounts of cash on-site."During the first raid the robbers screamed "armed police" as they burst in.The manager, who has run the business for the past four months and been in the trade for four years, said: "The police have been really good with us, but they are worried these men will burst into people's homes by mistake."They have helped us improve locks and we have also fitted CCTV and employed security guards."The gang - unmasked black men aged between 18 and 25 - are rumoured to have carried out similar raids across Barking and Dagenham, as well as Romford.The boss said: "They are really quite aggressive and scary. I have been left very shocked by all of this and people are terrified of it happening again."
A Redbridge Police spokesman said: "With regards to the robberies taking place in brothels, I first have to state that these businesses are advertised as massage parlours, which means they are legal premises."When a crime is reported it is dealt with in exactly the same way as any other crime."There has been an increase in massage parlour robberies and we are asking the businesses to ensure they report any crimes, such as robberies, to the police."The crime prevention team visits such businesses and replaces locks to reinforce the security of the premises.