AN APPEAL has been issued to trace a man wanted in connection with advertising a ‘massage’ parlour.

Waltham Forest Council issued the CCTV image taken on Sunday, February 19, after finding a sticker advertising the service.

It comes as the council is coming under increasing pressure to tackle the problem of brothels disguised as massage parlours in the borough.

Business owners in Leyton High Road have criticised the council for threatening to fine them if stickers are found on their shop fronts.

The image was taken at the corner of Lea Bridge Road and Church Road in Leyton.

Cllr Clyde Loakes, deputy leader and cabinet member for environment said: “We’re determined to rid the borough of the blight of these ‘massage’ stickers, which are often linked to other more serious criminal activity.

“Our officers are working to remove these stickers daily, and we are working with our police partners to track down those responsible.

“I’d like to thank the civic minded residents who are already helping us by removing these stickers and reporting them to us.”

“We have already shut down five ‘massage parlours’ in the borough that were believed to be operating as brothels, and we are stepping up our work in this area.”

Anyone with information about the man in the photos can email neighbourhoods@walthamforest.gov.uk or phone 020 8496 6694.