Gates have been installed at a “nightmare” alleyway where residents witnessed sex acts and suspected drug taking outside their front doors.

Couple Hughie and Chris O’Neill of Pool Passage, Brighton, moved into their city centre home three years ago.

They said the torment was “constant” and incidents happened “multiple times a day”.

The alleyway was a hotspot for sexual activity, drug taking and people defecating late at night.

Brighton and Hove City Council were initially reluctant to help, said Hughie, but after a campaign by The Argus in collaboration with the couple, they granted a public space prevention order.

The Argus: The alleyway where people defecated, committed sex acts and took drugsThe alleyway where people defecated, committed sex acts and took drugs (Image: The Argus)

A gate was installed at the south entrance of Pool Passage about a week ago.

The Argus: The gate was installed about a week agoThe gate was installed about a week ago (Image: The Argus)

Chris said: “Really it was The Argus that got our story out there and we cannot thank you enough.”

Hughie said: “This would not have happened without reporting by The Argus.”

Hughie added: “It is amazing what a difference it has made already.

“It has completely changed everything. We have not had anyone come down here.

“I was assaulted four times, people were followed up to their houses – it was a nightmare.”

A chief inspector and community support officer from Sussex Police, as well as Councillor Alex Phillips, attended yesterday to see the new gate and give Chris and Hughie a cheque for the cost of the gate.

The gate, which cost around £2,100, was funded collaboratively by councillor ward budgets and police.

Regency ward councillors Phillips and Tom Druitt pledged £1,500 toward costs - £750 from each of their ward budgets.

A further £600 was provided by Sussex Police.

Chief Inspector Andy Saville said: “What these people have been through was horrific, but it is a great example of how we can come together to make a difference.

“I know Hughie and Chris had reporting fatigue from having to tell us every time something bad happened, but it just shows that this really helps get the problem sorted out.”

The people who live in Pool Passage have now formed a residents’ association, which Gerda Ragacidvaite helped form.

She said she had been followed up to her flat by people loitering in the alleyway.

The Argus: Chris, left, and Hughie said it is unbelievable how much difference the gate has already madeChris, left, and Hughie said it is unbelievable how much difference the gate has already made (Image: The Argus)

Cllr Phillips said: “It has been great to be part of this collaborative effort to make a real difference to the lives of Pool Passage residents.”

The Argus: Chris and Hughie said people would go right up to their front doorChris and Hughie said people would go right up to their front door (Image: The Argus)

The gate was due to have a lock but the first one was faulty.

Once a new lock has been installed, the gate will be locked between 7pm and 9am each day – with responsibility for its opening and closure with residents.