TRESPASSERS are putting their lives on the line by breaking through anti-climb fences to get on to a Victorian seafront terrace at risk of collapse.

Brighton residents have spotted a break in at the £203,000 fence along Madeira Terrace which they claim risk-takers are sneaking through to take drugs and drink.

A small gap in the fence was created earlier this month with bolt cutters to gain access to the grade II listed terrace which was first closed off to the public almost three years ago because of fears about its structure.

Resident Clara Suess, who noticed the gap, said she was embarrassed by its current state and did not feel safe walking by it late at night.

Council officials said the “permanent anti-climb fence”, which was installed in July, was a “good fence” but there was no way of stopping a determined person with bolt cutters from breaking through.

The council installed the fencing to provide an exclusion zone around the Madeira Terraces in order to ensure the public are kept at a safe distance from the structure.

The fencing has anti-climb panels designed to deter to anyone who wants to access the Terraces.

Mrs Suess said: “It is very alarming that the fences are already getting damaged when they are meant to remain for several years to come.

“This damage shows that they are not fit for purpose, despite their eye-watering cost.

“By spending large amounts of council taxpayers' money on something not fit for purpose and then seeming not bothered by the terrible condition of the steps which also include large amounts of tag graffiti, faeces, rubbish, broken glasses, then it is worse than not doing anything in the first place.

“I no longer feel safe going up these steps, especially when dark.

“When I first moved to Brighton in 2010, I did feel safe and proudly showed off the terraces to visitors. Now I am embarrassed.”

A Brighton and Hove City Council spokesman said the fence was fixed within hours of being reported and that seafront officers continue to monitor the site daily responding to any signs of damage or unauthorised access.

He added: “There are no plans to reinforce it. It’s a good fence but we suspect bold cutters were used to get in.

“Clearly it’s not practical to build a fence which can resist bolt cutters.

“If someone is intent on causing deliberate criminal damage to access the area then the fencing will not prevent this.”