Coventry council plans to keep street lights off at night despite local concerns about safety and crime, citing a report showing no increase in crime rates.
Coventry: The council is sticking to its plan to keep street lights off at night. Locals have asked for the lights to be turned back on, but the council says it won’t happen. A report claims there hasn’t been an increase in crime since the lights were switched off.
Since last July, most street lights have been off from midnight to 5:30 AM. The council made this change to save about £700,000 a year. Many residents disagree and have signed petitions to restore the lights, with thousands of signatures collected.
One petition organizer, Helen Back, shared her experience of having her car broken into. Many people feel unsafe without the lights and believe crime has increased in their neighborhoods. Concerns have also been raised about the impact on vulnerable groups, like the elderly and shift workers.
A senior councillor plans to send a letter confirming that the lights will remain off. The report, which will be discussed by councillors, states that police found no evidence of increased crime due to the lighting changes. In fact, nighttime collisions have decreased.
The report also mentions that only 60% of street lights are currently off, down from 70%. The council’s savings target has been lowered to £600,000 due to fewer lights being affected and a drop in energy prices.
On its website, the council says it will review areas if crime or accidents rise significantly. They will keep lights on in areas with known crime issues but won’t turn them back on just because of fear of crime. A list of exempt areas, like the city center, is available on their website.
