SINGAPORE - Two women aged 29 and 46 were arrested in a raid of five massage parlours at Lavender Street and Jalan Besar, the police said on Thursday (June 8).

Eighteen women from the five parlours were the subject of checks in the operation, conducted on Wednesday and Thursday by the Central Police Division.

Massage beds, shower cubicles and other items were seized from the outlets.

Action will also be taken against the five massage parlours for offences under the Massage Establishments Act.

The police have been stepping up raids at massage parlours in recent months, targeting areas including MacPherson, Paya Lebar, Little India, Bukit Batok and Clementi.

Commander of Central Police Division and Assistant Commissioner of Police Arthur Law said the operation was part of the police's ongoing enforcement efforts to clamp down on illicit activities.

"The police take a serious view against massage establishments that operate without a valid licence or contravene the provisions under the Massage Establishments Act," he said. "We will continue our enforcement efforts and all offenders will be dealt with in accordance with the law."

Investigations against the suspects are ongoing.