Police raided a brothel in a quiet Oxford suburb - targeting illegal human trafficking and the sex trade.

Officers smashed through the door of a three-bedroom house in Middle Way, in Summertown, yesterday, after a series of complaints from neighbours.

Inside they found three prostitutes and a middle-aged man who were all quizzed by officers. A woman was arrested on suspicion of assisting in running a brothel and was last night in custody.

Many neighbours and residents said they were too frightened to speak out, but complained of noise and punters parking outside their homes waiting to get inside the brothel.

Sgt Karl Ralph, who led the raid, said: "Our primary concern here was the well-being of the girls and to ensure they are not being exploited and brought into the country to be forced into the sex trade.

"However, we've also acted because of the community impact this premises has had.

"We've had numerous complaints ranging from parking, noise, general nuisance and on one occasion a local resident was threatened."

About 15 officers raided the brothel, which advertised as Sasha and Friends, at about 1.45pm. A middle aged man was spotted looking from an upstairs window but, after being interviewed by police, was released without charge. He declined to comment.

The raid was part of a nationwide operation targeting the illegal sex trade, but no trafficking crimes were believed to have been committed.

One anonymous resident posted leaflets through letter boxes telling neighbours the house was a brothel and saying there were "perverts visiting until the early hours". The leaflet accused the brothel of "ruining the reputation of our much loved Summertown."

A mother said: "It's been absolutely horrifying. I see a steady stream of men from 10am until 10pm."

Another local mother said: "I see them coming out of that place then later in the day you see them having lunch or dinner with their wives in Summertown."

One neighbour said: "I hate having to take my children outside. And if you are wearing high heels everyone stares at you.

"There are cars parked all up the road and you get taxis parked up outside tooting their horns."

Another said that during the summer, neighbours could hear people having sex because the windows were open.

Sgt Ralph is asking for people with concerns about the house to call him via 08458 505505.