Police have been called to a leafy street to deal with a bitter war among residents after a man blocked a public footpath and refused to let other people near it.
The issues began nearly a year ago when a storm brought a wall down, blocking a footpath between two properties. After the wall came down in the road in Hove, East Sussex in October, a 10ft wire fence was put up to allow the owners of the property to clear the path and carry out repairs - but no progress has been made so far.
Residents have complained as the rubble hasn't been cleared from the wall and the alleyway next to it remains closed, and have complained to the council asking for repairs to be carried out so the public right of way can be reopened. However, locals say they are being intimidated by the neighbour who lives on the other side of the footpath and doesn't want the path to be reopened.
READ MORE: Neighbours at war over 100-year-old bridle path running between their homes
During a public meeting at the entrance to the alley on September 13, the neighbour allegedly ranted at councillors and other residents, drowning out complaints. Over the past 10 days, Sussex Police has been called twice to deal with neighbour arguments. And the situation has got so bad that some residents say they are now thinking of selling their homes.
One told the Daily Mail: "This used to be a really lovely place to live and these are all very desirable properties but it is like a war zone round here at the moment. People have been threatened, they have been intimidated and sworn at if they go anywhere near the fence. It's been a total nightmare."
Another claimed to have been screamed at in the street and "verbally abuse" in front of their children. The resident said: "It's absolutely shocking what has been going on and yet the police seem powerless to act. I am seriously thinking about whether I want to live in an area where there is so much conflict. It's not healthy."
Someone else said the situation has "got out of hand" as they called for police to intervene. Meanwhile, Councillor Trevor Muten said the council wants to issue a section 78 notice under the Building Act 1984 which will give them the power to remove dangerous structures and reopen the footpath.
Sussex Police said in a statement: "Police are investigating a report of threats made outside an address in Woodland Drive, Hove, at about 5.30pm on September 13. Witnesses or anyone with any information or footage is asked to contact police online or call 101 quoting serial 117 of 14/09."
