Two detectives posed as punters at Manchester lap dancing clubs before compiling an explicit report into what they saw.
The former police officers - now working as private investigators, spent up to £80 a time on lap dances at Victoria's, at Dantzic Street, and Obsessions, at Whitworth Street West, before recording every detail of their encounters with the women.
The pair were recruited for the job in an ongoing battle between feminist campaigners and Manchester strip clubs.
It's not been revealed who commissioned the pair. But campaigning group 'Not Buying It', who say they are against the 'sexual exploitation of porn, prostitution and lap dancing', have presented a report of the pair's findings, including video footage, to Manchester City Council.
The campaigners allege that what went on at the clubs during the course of the private investigation not only breached the venues' own rules but amounted to 'sexual contact' with punters - behaviour which they claim would breach licensing rules.
Manchester council have now launched their own investigation into the clubs Obsessions and Victoria's.
The lawyer representing both venues told the M.E.N they had not 'knowingly contravened' the terms of their licences.
The undercover investigation - and the council investigation it has triggered - come after the Women's Equality Party's called for a total ban on lap dancing in the city.
Meanwhile, Not Buying It say evidence of rule-breaking has been recorded at strip clubs across the country. They believe vulnerable women working at strip clubs are being asked to perform sexual acts for customers.
CEO Dr Sasha Rakoff told the M.E.N: “We believe strip clubs can’t be regulated and can’t be controlled.
“The rules about no sexual contact are being broken all the time.
“Every time councils go in to do spot checks they are found to be absolutely fine but our findings suggest otherwise.
“It’s just part of the slippery slope of the sex industry.”
Not Buying It are now calling for both Victoria's and Obsessions to be closed down and for all performers to be 'supported into safe, alternative work'.
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They also want the council to review its policy on strip clubs.
Both Baby Platinum, on Princess Street, and Long Legs, in Chinatown - two clubs that have not featured in the undercover investigation - recently had their licences renewed for another 12 months.
The Women's Equality Party made unsuccessful objections - calling for a total ban on sexual entertainment venues in Manchester.
A campaigner for the party made appeals at both hearings.
At the Long Legs licensing hearing, party activist Sam Johnson said SEVs 'perpetuate an attitude of sexism and misogyny', market women as ‘sexual objects for male gratification’ and show them as ‘commodities’.
It’s ‘unnecessary,’ she wrote, to have two SEVs in such close proximity, pointing out that Baby Platinum is just a five minute walk away from Long Legs.
A Manchester City Council spokesperson said officials have launched an investigation into Victoria's and Obsessions after the report was presented to them by Not Buying It.
“We thank Not Buying It for bringing this matter to our attention,” a spokesperson said.
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“Any alleged breach of a venue’s licensing terms is something Manchester City Council takes very seriously.
"The establishments in question will now be investigated and any appropriate action will be taken."
Lawyer Heath Thomas, acting for Victoria's and Obsessions, said: "My clients take these allegations seriously. They have not knowingly contravened or permitted the contravention of any term or condition of their licence.
"They will cooperate fully with the Licensing Authority, Manchester City Council, in any investigation conducted by them. It would be inappropriate for my clients to comment further upon the allegations made at this stage."
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