A string of Hounslow brothels have been busted by police after neighbours complained about punters knocking on the wrong door.

Residents in Hanworth Road and Lampton Road complained to police after a series of late night doorknocks led them to suspect their neighbour.

Police constable Luke Smith, of Hounslow Central safer neighbourhood team (SNT), said the tip offs led to officers identifying four brothels in the area which were disturbing the peace.

He said: “People called in very distressed saying they were having all sorts of people turning up on their doorsteps, at all times of day. Drug dealers and people looking for money would also hang around the areas.

“After identifying the brothels we worked hard to find out who the landlords of the properties were and issued them with a written warning.

"Although it is not illegal for one person to work alone it is a crime for a landlord to rent his home knowing it would be used for a brothel.

“We then go to homes and warn the tenants we know about this behaviour and say we will tell the landlord unless they move on. We would urge anyone who has suspicions about their neighbours to contact their safer neighbourhood team.”

PC Smith said his team had also cleaned up phone boxes and public toilets which had calling cards advertising sex services.

The brothel bust was part of Hounslow Central SNT's four ward priorities, which included busting drug rings and public drinking as part of residents feedback.

PC Smith said in the next three months his team would be concentrating on drugs, alcohol abuse and handling stolen goods.

Meanwhile, the latest crime statistics show officers destroyed 44 bottles and cans of alcohol between February and April in Hounslow’s controlled drinking zone.

Within the first two weeks of introducing a dispersal zone into Hounslow town centre, 28 people were ordered to leave with one man arrested and charged.

More than 100 people were issued with fixed penalty notices in eight weeks for cycling in the high street.