Dim views

I CANNOT believe that Essex County Council is going to be switching off the streetlights from 12am until 5am to save money. I would like to know (but probably won t) how many of the people who voted for this actually live in Saffron Walden? Why has such a

I CANNOT believe that Essex County Council is going to be switching off the streetlights from 12am until 5am to save money.

I would like to know (but probably won't) how many of the people who voted for this actually live in Saffron Walden?

Why has such an important decision been made, that affects the whole town, without the residents knowing about it until it's in the paper? If the issue is to save money then surely anybody can see that the answer is to install more up-to-date energy-efficient lighting.

What will inevitably happen is that policing will have to be upped and this is the bit that nobody seems to have thought about.

If policing has to be strengthened because of the rise in crime then where is the saving? It doesn't take a genius to work out there will be no saving at all. In fact it will cost more to us, the residents of Saffron Walden.

Searching the net on this issue I discovered that all the sites I visited state that street lighting is essential in towns for security and safety.

Quote: In the winter our streets are dark for up to 14 hours a day. What use are deserted and fearful streets after dark? Good lighting improves an area by reducing crime and the fear of crime by as much as 20 per cent.

Indeed the Home Office acknowledges that improved lighting is four times better at reducing crime than CCTV. Unquote.

I will be taking this further. I am incensed this has even been suggested.

I urge everyone to do the same as we want Saffron Walden to be known for its safety, not for the fact that it's easy to commit a crime. Scary thought isn't it?

Mrs A Foster

Tukes Way

Saffron Walden