A SERIES of serious crimes in a public garden have led to calls for it to be blocked off after dark.

Argus letter writer Selma Montford said locking the gateways to the Pavilion Gardens “well before dusk” would make Brighton “a safer place”.

On June 8, police closed the city centre gardens as they investigated the rape of a woman in the early hours of the morning.

The woman, in her twenties, was reportedly seen running from the area in a distressed state.

On June 23 police again cordoned off the gardens after a woman in distress was seen running from the area in the early hours.

In between these two incidents, on June 15, a 38-year-old man was attacked in the Pavilion Gardens.

He suffered life-threatening injuries and had emergency surgery.

The following month, Alexander Austin, a 50-year-old homeless drug addict, lashed out at a female security guard with a needle.

A judge ruled that, though he had more than 130 previous convictions, he was to be given a “chance to put this right”.

He said: “The sentencing will take place and there will be a prison sentence because what you did was wrong, but if you really impress probation by working hard with them, then you might be able to persuade me to suspend it.”

Last month Argus columnist Adam Trimingham described how a pick-pocket had stolen his wallet from his coat before making off through the gardens.

After hearing stories from others who had been targeted by criminal in the area he said: “I have never been scared of walking around Brighton and Hove, by day or night. Yet now I am going to be just a little bit more wary.”

He said: “The Pavilion Gardens, more than anywhere else, must be made safer.”

This prompted Selma Montford, who was formerly the honorary secretary of heritage group The Brighton Society, to respond.

She said: “Argus columnist Adam Trimingham claims that streets are no longer a safe haven in Brighton.

“If all the gateways to the Pavilion grounds were locked off well before dusk Brighton would be a safer place.”

A Brighton and Hove City Council spokeswoman said: “Improving and protecting the Royal Pavilion Garden is a key part of the Royal Pavilion Estate project. Phase one of the project is under way. The Royal Pavilion Garden is part of phase two.”

An updated bid for National Heritage Lottery funding to support the project was made in August. This followed a rejected application in 2018.

A spokeswoman said: “The Grade ll listed Royal Pavilion Garden was added to the Historic England At Risk Register in October 2017 following concerns about high levels of visitor use, erosion of character and a general deterioration in the sense of history. The council commissioned a conservation plan in 2018 which assessed risks to the garden’s heritage and provided a detailed plan of action.”

Plans for the area include new lighting and a secure boundary to address vandalism and anti-social behaviour.