The opening of a new business typically brings hope to a neighbourhood, but for residents of Elmdon in Solihull, the launch of the Dragon Phoenix Massage parlour in August 2024 immediately raised alarm bells.
Community Concerns and Strange Goings-On
From the moment it opened, locals observed a continuous stream of male visitors from the school rush hour until late at night. The female workers, who were allegedly 'rated and reviewed' on a website, appeared to never leave the premises on Hatchford Brook Road.
The situation escalated dramatically when schoolchildren conducting a traffic survey witnessed a shocking altercation. They saw a half-naked man being thrown out of the establishment by two women, one of whom was dressed in a maid's outfit. In a crucial turning point, one of the women managed to whisper 'help' to a customer, who promptly informed West Midlands Police.
Police Action and Court Order
Officers from the Solihull Prime Crime Team launched an investigation, attending the property on multiple occasions. On July 21, 2024, they found two Chinese women who did not have passports and were not permitted to work due to outstanding asylum claims.
During a subsequent visit on October 2, police discovered two different women with their suitcases and belongings inside the parlour. The final police attendance came on November 8 after receiving a direct report that a woman working there had asked a client to call the police on her behalf.
This evidence led to Birmingham Magistrates' Court granting a full closure order on Wednesday, November 26, following strong suspicions that the premises was exploiting and trafficking women for illegal sex work.
Community Heroes and Aftermath
Local Councillor Laura McCarthy revealed she was the first to raise the alarm, encouraging the 'tight-knit' community to report their concerns to the police. She praised the residents who gave anonymous statements, calling them 'heroes' for their crucial role in the swift closure.
The business owner, 49-year-old Carl Aldo Tirrito, refuted the allegations, describing them as a 'witch hunt' and stating he would not be returning to Solihull. Councillor McCarthy expressed concern for the welfare of the women involved, stating, 'I hope the girls are OK and it's awful what they've been through'.
