Police to control street lights

Cornwall Council announced in April that it was to begin switching off lights at night as part of a Government directive aiming to save money and reduce its environmental impact. Now local police could be given special powers to switch street lights on and off.

Devon and Cornwall Police have said they are talking to the council in Cornwall about giving CCTV control room inspectors the ability to switch lights on and off in response to crime.

Chris Vercoe, the force's CCTV and architectural liaison officer, said: "For example, if there was a serious incident they could turn the lights back on. Or if there was an armed incident for example, they could turn the lights off to help the officers at the scene." Mr Vercoe said lights will only be turned off in areas where there is no "night-time economy", meaning in areas with nightlife and a greater threat of anti-social behaviour in the hours of darkness will remain lit.

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