RESIDENTS in Abingdon said they were shocked a pensioner had been arrested on suspicion of running a brothel in a quiet cul-de-sac in the town.

A 65-year-old man was arrested after a warrant was issued at an address in Turner Road, off Gainsborough Green in the south of the town.

Police made the arrest on Sunday, July 24, but only revealed details yesterday.

Former nurse Bertha Nyahoda, 70, who lives in Turner Road, said she had seen women coming and going at one of the neighbouring two-storey housing association flats.

She said: “In recent months I have seen quite a few different young and middle-aged women visiting one of the flats near where I live.

“I minded my own business but someone must have brought this to the attention of the police. It’s not what I would expect because it’s a quiet area and the people living here are mainly retired.”

Aggie McNally, 36, of Saxton Road, Abingdon, works as a cleaner at Preston Road community centre, which is at the rear of the flats in Turner Road.

She said: “Lots of community groups use this centre and there are children’s parties and other family celebrations.

“A brothel is not the sort of thing we want on the doorstep and I’m shocked to hear about it.”

A 71-year-old man, who lives in a flat in Turner Road with his 58-year-old wife, said: “This is the last thing I would have expected to hear.

“It’s nearly all pensioners around here.”

Officers also used a warrant at an address in Doyley Road in Wallingford.

Thames Valley Police spokesman Lucy Billen said the Doyley Road home was not thought to have been used as a brothel but was linked to the investigation.

Mum-of-five Penny Spiers, 48, lives with husband Nick Spiers, 46, opposite Doyley Road, a cul-de-sac.

She said: “I’m surpised to hear this. We haven’t seen anything unusual going on.”

Dc Jon Shaw, who is leading the investigation, said: “Local residents might have seen an increased police presence in the area and I would like to keep the community informed about what we were doing.

“Following some information from the community, we carried out two warrants, one at an address in Turner Road, Abingdon, and another at an address in Doyley Road, Wallingford.

“A 65-year-old man has been arrested from the Abingdon address on suspicion of keeping a brothel and has been released on bail until September 18.

“I hope that this activity will help to reassure residents that we will investigate all the information that we receive and we are grateful for their help in this matter.”

Mrs Billen said officers notified Thames Valley Police press office on Friday about the investigation and arrest.