CONTROVERSIAL streetlight switch-offs at night do not lead to increased crime or road crashes, researchers have claimed.

Research based on 14 years of data from more than 60 local authorities across England and Wales found there was no evidence of a link between reduced streetlighting and increased crime or traffic accidents.

Campaigners in Tendring have raised concerns about Essex County Council’s decision to switch off most streetlights between 1am and 5am to save money and cut carbon emissions.

Tendring Council’s Labour group leader Ivan Henderson, who has campaigned for the lights to go back on, said he was surprised by the research results.

“This report does not reflect the picture in our area or the view of residents here, who have witnessed an increase in crime,” he said.

“The AA has a contradictory report about the increase in road accidents and inquests have also heard evidence that councils’ decisions to switch off lights have contributed to deaths.

“The police even called for lights to go back on in Basildon following a road accident."

But Green campaigner Chris Southall, of Burrs Road, Clacton, welcomed the report.

“People have been saying that crime will go up, so this report is very interesting,” he said.

“Of course, you need local knowledge about this, as there are definitely some areas where turning lights off will make life more difficult, but there are lot of areas where we can have them off.

“The council does not have enough money to deal with essential things like looking after elderly people and they need to get the money from somewhere.

“In an ideal world, we would not want lights on everywhere all of the time, as there are also environmental effects.”

The study, by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and University College London, focused on offences more likely to occur at night, including burglary, vehicle theft, robbery, violence and sexual assault.