Police swoop on riverside brothel

Maxwell Kusi Obodum • Last updated 26 Sep 2008 11:36

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Brothel madam: repay or go back to prison

NEIGHBOURS were stunned when police and immigration officers swooped on a quiet residential street to close down a brothel.

Thames Valley Police and UK Border Agency officers acting on a warrant issued under 2003 the Sexual Offences Act 2003 raided a house in riverside Thames Avenue on Tuesday.

They arrested a 31-year-old woman from Thailand who had been working as a prostitute, and a second woman who was acting as her receptionist.

A man living nearby, who asked not to be named, said he had spotted cars pulling into the close late at night and men doing into the house, but added: "These sorts of things happen all over the place, but I can't believe it's happened here.

"You generally get to know everybody, and even if you cough around here somebody would know."

Another neighbour said: "I'm quite surprised they chose this road because it's so quiet down here.

"I often walk down by the river at night and I've never seen anyone hanging around. They must have been very discreet."

The prostitute, a Thai national living illegally in Britain, was held under the Immigration Act 1971 and will deported. The receptionist, a 46-year-old Reading woman, was arrested and questioned but released with a caution.

The house was being rented and police have met representatives of the owners who have now cancelled the lease.

Reading area police commander Chief Inspector Steve Thwaites said: "While our officers were at the address they were approached by a number of neighbours who congratulated us for taking action on this brothel, which had been established in a quiet residential road.

"In order to make sure that we have a long term solution to the problem, we have sought assistance from the letting agent who has now changed the locks to the property and terminated the lease on the basis of breach of tenancy."

This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 01 Jan 70

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