Police raid Hendon brothel

8:00am Sunday 12th October 2008

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Police raided a Hendon brothel on Friday following a tip-off from neighbours.

The Hendon Safer Neighbourhoods Team (SNT) served a notice on the semi-detached house in Bell Lane at 6.30pm after police constable Tim Wilson, leading the operation, gained entrance by posing as a client.

The notice stated the residents were in breach of Section 33 of the Sexual Offences Act and must cease trading within two months or face possible arrest.

Mr Wilson said: "The operation went very smoothly and will hopefully dissuade other establishments from thinking they can get away with it.

"But we were only able to take action because of community intelligence, so we would encourage people to call us if they ever see anything suspicious. People living in the neigbourhood are in the best position to judge if something is out-of-the-ordinary.

"Lots of people think things are too minor to report, but let us be the judge of what is minor. We have had so many good jobs from silly information that has turned out to be something much bigger."

Mr Wilson, wearing a £700 police camera around his neck to help him collect evidence, was backed up by his sergeant, three officers and two police community support officers during the 20-minute operation.

They found three women in the house, but no clients.

Anyone who notices any suspicious behaviour in their neighbourhood is encouraged to call their local SNT, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.