DRUG addicts were evicted from a council home suspected of doubling up as a brothel.

As many as four drug addicts are believed to have been living at 45 Bockingham Green on Basildon’s Felmores estate.

The maisonette was found to contain drugs, including heroin and crack, and could also have been being used as a brothel.

Neighbours repeatedly complained to Swan Housing, the housing association which owns and manages the home on behalf of Basildon Council, about the drug addicts.

They would repeatedly come and go at all hours, were noisy and attracted other drug users to the area. Swan took action alongside the police and the property has since been boarded up. A 24-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of possessing Class A drugs.

One neighbour, a man in his forties who asked not to be named, said: “We’re all so chuffed.

“It was an absolute nightmare while they were living here.

“The noise was horrendous and no one wants drug addicts living next door.”

Pictures of the inside of the property show how kitchen worktops were littered with drug paraphernalia, including hypodermic syringes and metal spoons, which are used to burn rocks of heroin and crack cocaine.

PC Reece Darwin, neighbourhood constable for Pitsea North West, said: “This is a good result and shows we have a zero-tolerance approach to incidents of drug use and antisocial behaviour.

“Residents should not have to tolerate this sort of behaviour and we are there to make sure they don’t have to.”

A spokesman for Swan Housing said: “We have worked closely with residents ever since we were made aware of local concerns regarding the property in Bockingham Green.

“Once we were made aware by residents there was an issue at the property, we worked closely with them and the police to deal with the problems.

“The police and local community have been instrumental in helping us to secure a positive outcome in this case which has resulted in Swan regaining possession of the property.”

The arrested woman has been bailed.