Police say they shut down a brothel operating in Blaney Crescent, East Ham, within 48 hours of receiving complaints from residents.

The public’s tip-offs resulted in officers raiding the address, which is located half a mile away from Vicarage Primary School on Vicarage Lane, and discovering that it was indeed being used by sex workers.

Acting Sgt Leigh said officers from the East Ham South Safer Neighbourhood Team attended the address last Wednesday and “thanks to prompt work from the police and Newham Council, the premises were vacated the next day”.

He said: “Brothels are a blight on the local community and perpetuate other crimes and anti-social behaviour.

“I would like to thank the public and encourage anyone who has information or wishes to report suspicious behaviour to contact the police on 101 or via Crimestoppers.”