THREE more people have been charged with brothel-keeping and living off immoral earnings following a police raid of Edinburgh's sex-for-sale saunas.

The action means 10 individuals have been charged with the offences, with two others being reported to prosecutors.

A Police Scotland spokesman refused to confirm the identities of any of the new people charged, due to "strict guidance" from the Crown Office not to disclose any more information.

The local authority in Edinburgh has for decades issued public entertainment licences to saunas widely believed to be fronts for sex workers.

Supporters of the "blind eye" policy believe it keeps prostitutes safe, but critics argue the strategy legitimises violence against women.

The long-standing approach appears to be coming to an end after officers working for the new single police force raided a number of the city's saunas in June.

Operation Windermere involved 150 personnel and initially led to seven people being charged.

Of these seven, five names are in the public domain: Ian Haig, 70; Ivan Cameron, 69; Guillermo Morey, 41; Kelly Potter, 29; and Jayne Donoghue. Ms Donoghue applied for the renewal of the New Gentle Touch sauna's licence in November.

The three who have since been charged included two men aged 74 and 63, as well as a 40-year-old woman.

A 68-year-old man and a 60-year-old woman have also been reported to the fiscal, which means they were not present to hear the offences put to them.

The action comes as six saunas face closure next month.

Following the police raid, Edinburgh council suspended the licences for ­Paradise, The New Gentle Touch, the Dundas Street Sauna, Scorpio Leisure, Blair Street Sauna, and New Town Sauna. It is understood appeals against the council's decision will be heard next month.

Margo Macdonald, the Lothians MSP who supports the previous harm ­reduction approach, said: "Licensing saunas was a way of managing a ­problem, but I feel the police are trying to get the saunas by one means or another. Unless the police come up with something better, they should leave this well alone."

Labour MSP Sarah Boyack said: "There's a real challenge here in terms of the safety of women and a need to offer routes out of prostitution. It's vital that we have a more co-ordinated approach between the police, the council and support services.

"We all know that there are no easy solutions here - the hidden issues of ­trafficking and criminality need to be tackled."

A Police Scotland spokesman said: "On Friday 7th June 2013, a multi-agency operation was carried out to inspect Edinburgh's licensed premises and tackle and detect any criminal activity, breaches of licence or risks to the public.

"As a result, seven people were initially charged in connection with this operation and were subject of reports to the procurator-fiscal.

"Following continued enquiry, a further two men aged 74 and 63 and a 40-year-old woman were also charged in August 2013 and will appear in court at a later date.

"In addition, a 68-year-old man and a 60-year-old woman have been reported to the procurator-fiscal."