Indeed the Police (especially) and the CPS are generally supportive, but as you know there can be huge variation in attitudes to 'brothels' by area. If for whatever reason they wish to prosecute/close down then it is extremely easy for them to have evidence to support the case for operating a brothel, whereas other offences (and often the real reason for closure/prosecution) may be more difficult to prove.
If however you are a truly independent, non coerced etc and working alone either from home or from premises not used by any other sex worker at any time, then you are entirely legal and have nothing to worry about.
Yes, what i've picked up is that many police forces basically accept that they won't be able to stop prostitution but take the view safety of sex workers is more important than closing down a brothel and also it's better to keep people off of the streets and do away with kerb crawling etc
IMO the main problem is when you get a senior officer who is on some sort of moral crusade or some local bizzy body constantly putting pressure on them and running to the local rag etc to get places closed down
