POLICE arrested five people, including three women suspected of working as prostitutes, during a raid ona house in Pitsea suspected to be a brothel.

Families living nearby welcomed the raid – after complaining of months of problems, including men loitering around late at night, antisocial behaviour and fights.

The business was apparently being run in a terraced house in Partridge Green – yards from the entrance to a school, the Basildon Upper Academy.

Police served out the warrant to search the building after getting numerous complaints from neighbours.

Officers smashed down the front door of the three-bedroom house at about 11am on Friday morning.

Inside, they found what appeared to be a downstairs waiting room where clients waited to go to the three upstairs rooms.

Three women and two men were arrested – all said to be Romanian nationals.

Officers used translators to establish their identity, before taking them to Basildon police station for questioning.

Police say they do not believe the women were being held against their will. They did not need medical treatment.

The property, at the end of the terrace, is privately-owned and neighbours told the Echo it had been run for illegal purposes for the past 12 weeks.

They said as many a six women had been working there.

It is unclear if the girls lived at the house and officers are investigating possible links to other similar establishments.

Neighbours stood outside their homes to watch as the raid started and afterwards spoke of their relief police had acted.

One woman, who did not want to give her name, said: “I’m so happy. A number of people passed information to the police and they have acted very quickly, which I am impressed about.

“It has been a nightmare for the past three months. There have been fights, men arriving in taxis at all times of the day and night and strange people hanging round.

“My young son now knows what a prostitute is, which is very upsetting.

“It is very close to a school which is very worrying. I just think what if someone is turned away and then decides to attack a young girl.”

PC Marek Jaworski, from the Pitsea Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “This is a positive result for us today.

“This brothel and the associated anti social behaviour has been very upsetting for local residents, many of who have young children and families.

“I would urge anyone who has concerns about this sort of activity in their neighbourhood to call the police on 101, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.”

! The five people arrested during the raid were questions and released on police bail, pending further enquiries.