A problem alleyway could soon be gated off in a bid to crackdown on antisocial behaviour including arson, public defecation, and dog fouling.

Residents near the alleyway between Hoads Wood Road and Pilot Road in Hastings have been plagued by years of criminal activity, with reports of firearms even being used in the passage.

Hastings Borough Council said that despite regular patrols by the police and council wardens and re-deployable CCTV cameras being installed, anti-social behaviour in the area has not reduced.

A cabinet report using comments from a public consultation detail how residents living in the area around the alleyway have complained about noise, arson, public defecation, flytipping, graffiti, dog fouling and serious criminal and other property damage, including the use of a firearm.

The council said comments were “widely in favour” of gating the path.

One resident of Pilot Road described how they have nearly been hit by items thrown over their fence and have been “heckled”.

“We have heard foul language, motorbikes riding up and down the path, youths throwing stones at local drunks (some of which fly over the fence and one narrowly missed my head), graffiti, litter, urination, I have been personally heckled through the fence, my children have been spoken to by strangers and people generally hang around there at night time,” they said.

“This pathway does not serve any purpose but than to promote antisocial behaviour.

“You would have my full support if you gated this pathway.”

A resident of Hoads Wood Road, who lives adjacent to the footpath, said the alleyway was being used as a “dog toilet” and a place to drink.

“For years there have been issues with groups causing a nuisance from using the pathway as a motor bike track to target practice at resident’s windows with BB guns,” they said.

“Low level nuisance is using the space as a dog toilet and the disposal of dog poop bag. Groups are also using the footpath as a place to drink and then throwing the cans and rubbish into gardens adjacent to the path.”

The council will discuss the gating of the alleyway on November 7.

If the gating scheme is approved, it will become part of the council’s Public Space Protection Order on alleygating, and the new gate will be reviewed within three years to ensure it is having the desired effect.

Councillor Judy Rogers, lead councillor for planning, governance and community safety, said: “Local residents and Mike Turner, the Baird ward councillor, have been complaining about antisocial behaviour connected to this alleyway for several years.

“The council and the police have tried alternative methods to address these issues but they have been unsuccessful.

“If the alley can be gated, we hope this will reduce the antisocial behaviour and increase how safe the residents feel in their homes and gardens.”