Petition claims streetlights switch-off is causing anxiety and crime

A petition launched in Spalding calling for streetlights to be switched back on across Lincolnshire has more than 200 signatures.

Signatories are stating they feel vulnerable and anxious and fear for the safety of road users, cyclists and the frail.
The roll-out of a countywide money-saving programme to switch off streetlights in many areas between midnight and 6am recently reached South Holland.

Spalding resident Kelly Tizzano has signed the petition, saying her car was broken into whilst parked on her previously lit driveway. She does not believe it would have happened had the lights still been on.
She says the feedback she got on reporting the incident contradicts official statements, which claim the change has not led to more crime.

She said: “The lady who took the incident report said they had seen an increase in damage and theft since the lights have been switched off and the policeman told me despite them policing the streets during that time, they can see even less now as they hide in the shadows. 
“We live down a nice, friendly street. There are many households who work shifts in various occupations and so leave or arrive in pitch black.
“As a woman, I am dreading the next time my husband is away on business as it is the cars and sheds now but they will progress to houses I’m sure of it.”

Since her car was broken into – with only hairdressing scissors taken – a neighbour found someone snooping on his drive in the early hours. Mrs Tizzano has invested in outdoor lights but says she’d pay more council tax to have the streetlights on.

The online petition says: “The complete absence of street lighting has led to young people having panic attacks when trying to get home, elderly residents scared of the neighbourhoods they once felt safe in and the opportunity for crime increasing.”

A previous 4,000-name petition focused in Lincoln was credited with reducing the time the lights are off each night – with 10pm originally being black-out time in some spots.
Lincolnshire County Council has said the lights had to go off to make savings.
Councillor Richard Davies, executive member for highways and transport, said: “We simply can’t afford to do everything we’ve done in the past. And by saving money in this way, we can protect other vital areas that do impact on public safety, like the pothole budget.”

Click here to see the petition.