A woman was raped in a city centre alleyway plagued with anti-social behaviour and drug use.

Police officers were called to Zion Gardens in Brighton in the early hours of the morning after the victim reported the incident just a stone's throw from the Clock Tower.

Sussex Police slammed the incident as "unacceptable" and said they are investigating.

Residents in Zion Gardens woke to a police cordon outside their homes on July 3 after the incident happened in the back road adjacent to Queen's Road.

Sussex Police say they are supporting the victim and are appealing for witnesses.

Detective Inspector Jenny Pietersen said: “It is unacceptable for anyone in our community to experience, or feel vulnerable to, crime of any nature.

“Women and girls should be able to walk the streets without fear and we will continue to do all we can to make sure that is the case.

“Our targeted patrols in the area will continue, as will our work with partners to address the underlying causes of criminality and anti-social behaviour.”

The incident comes as residents in Zion Gardens report that the road has become a hotspot for anti-social behaviour, drugs, and violence.

One resident, who chose not to be named, said that she regularly saw drug taking and people urinating in the street in front of her children as she stepped out of her home.

It comes nearly a year after The Argus first reported issues in Zion Gardens where one woman said the road was treated "like a toilet".

Police said they are working specifically to reduce crime and antisocial behaviour in the tight street behind Queen's Road. But residents are calling for more action.

Brighton and Hove City Councillor Andrei Czolak has since said that the council is "concerned" by the issues blighting the road and is working with Sussex Police to tackle it.

A spokeswoman for Sussex Police said: "Anyone who witnessed the incident or anything suspicious in the area around that time is asked to contact police online, or by calling 101 quoting reference 116 of 03/07."