The police should do more to force brothels and massage parlours out of housing areas, an Oxford city councillor has claimed.

Cllr Stephen Fairweather-Tall said consideration should also be given to legalising and licensing brothels so they could be required to operate in non-residential areas.

He said a recent court case, in which two men were jailed for the armed robbery of three Oxford massage parlours, re-inforced the need for regulation. If massage parlours were more visible they could provide proper security, like shops.

Cllr Fairweather-Tall said that, in the meantime, the police should carry out spot-checks on suspected brothels. He said he would raise the matter at the city council's north east area committee meeting in January to see what action could be taken in Oxford.

"We have got families with young children who live next door to brothels," he said.

"If they were properly regulated you could make sure that the girls were being treated fairly and they were not in family areas.

"I want residents to know that complaints are taken seriously.

"It's an opportunity to make sure where these activities are going on they are out of the way of residential areas and are conducted as safely as possible." Stephanie Jenkins, of the New Headington Residents' Association, agreed massage parlours should be regulated, away from people's homes.

Mrs Jenkins said: "It certainly would be better if they were all in one place.

"The police don't consider it a crime. Because everybody turns a blind eye to it they get away with it."

Supt Keith Ringsell, of Oxford Police, said: "As the law stands, it does not allow for the licensing of brothels. When we receive reports from members of the public that premises are being used as brothels we do take action.

"I would encourage anyone who is worried to contact us to discuss their concerns."