A record number of adult DVDs and videos has been seized from unlicensed sex shops in London’s Soho district.
In the past 12 months, Westminister City Council licensing officers confiscated more than 27,000 adult videos valued at about £600,000, said a recently published report.
The council said much of the material seized was banned under the Obscene Publications Act and included acts of "non-consensual violence".
Westminster's Licensing Team Leader Peter Cradock told the Local London Reporter his officers were often left "shocked" when they had to watch the blue movies.
There are now 14 unlicensed sex shops in Soho, compared to 52 five years ago and the council said it was determined to shut down those that remained. Last year four were closed and no new ones were opened.
Westminster City Council prosecuted 82 people as a result of the raids in the past year.
Councillor Audrey Lewis said: "These unlicensed premises are a damper on Soho, which it should be remembered, is also a residential community.”
"Our officers are determined to shut down the remaining premises and prevent them selling this material.”
