KENT Police have paid tribute to residents in the Hillcrest area of Rochester who helped to close down a brothel.

People living there assisted officers by reporting anti-social behaviour and incidents surrounding the use of a rented house in the road.

Thanks to this effort police were able to conduct a targeted operation and a woman was arrested and charged with keeping a brothel for prostitution.

Last week the 42-year-old Chatham woman was given a two-year suspended sentence after pleading guilty to the offence at Medway Magistrates' Court.

Speaking after sentence was passed Det Con Perry Wraight said: "Thanks to the evidence gained with the support of the community this woman had no option but to plead guilty.

"These residents chose to take a stand and make a difference in their neighbourhood and by working with Kent police in Medway and our partners we were able to stop the inappropriate and illegal use of the house.

"I would like to not only thank the residents for their support but also use this as an example of how individuals can enhance their quality of live and make their area a safer place to live."

The brothel was closed following the execution of a warrant at the house on August 17 last year. As a result of this Valerie Cozens, 42, of Hillcrest, was arrested and charged with keeping a brothel for prostitution on September 15 2006. Cozens pleaded guilty and was sentenced by Medway magistrates on Tuesday, April 24.