Street-light switch-off has not increased disorder say police

A scheme involving switching off street lighting in Workingham to save money has not, claim the polcie, lead to greater risks of crime and disorder. The pilot scheme was initiated by Woking Borough Council five months ago

The scheme, which is similar to other part-night light schemes in the UK, has received more than 90 responses to the trail since it started in June.

Of these comments around 33 per cent were in support of the scheme and the majority of the other comments were based on residents’ perception that crime would increase – especially burglary. However, police have this week confirmed that since the switch off of more than 500 lights between midnight and 5.30am, crime and disorder does not appear to have increased in the trial areas.

To ensure only appropriate sites are selected prior to the introduction of any trial, the proposed locations are put forward to the local police so that they are able to check their recording systems to make sure that areas where there are higher levels of crime, disorder or concern about public safety are not included.

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