………(head of department responsible for street lighting
……. (name and address of council)
Date..
Dear ……..
I am writing to you on behalf of …..(name of organisation) OR as a resident of….., to express
my/our deep concern about the changes/proposed changes to the street lighting in ……..
(specify streets/area/town) and the far reaching implications of these changes.
I/We appreciate the fact that savings are made by switching off or dimming of lighting but
I/we am/are concerned that ………(named council) has not fully considered the negative
effects the lack of good lighting can have on residents.
Whilst research into any connection between good street lighting and the prevention of crime
appears to be inconclusive, there is little doubt about the effect it has on the fear of crime and
therefore residents’ quality of life.
The recent Perceptions of Crime Survey, carried out by Suzy Lamplugh Trust and the
National Neighbourhood Watch Network , found that of the 15,786 respondents, 92% felt
‘very’ or ‘fairly’ safe in well-lit areas but only 22% felt safe in unlit or poorly-lit areas.
Asked how dimming or switching off of lights in their local area affected their behaviour,
40% of respondents considered going out less, 65% avoided unlit areas and 15% said they
would take taxis rather than walk.
These suggested changes in behaviour not only affect residents but must also have a
detrimental effect on the local night time economy. If 40% of people consider going out less
to avoid coming home in the dark, that could result in a huge percentage loss of income for
bars, clubs and restaurants in the area. Likewise, if 65% avoid unlit areas, commercial
businesses that are open in the evening in these areas could see a significant decrease in
business.
The environmental benefits of switching off of lights is often quoted but if 15% of people
switch to taking taxis instead of walking through unlit or poorly-lit areas, it appears that it is
not entirely beneficial to the environment after all.
The lack of good street lighting affects some demographics more than others, for example
young people and women, who expressed strong concerns in the Perceptions of Crime
Survey, and shift workers. However, we believe that all residents in ……… (council
town/district) have the right to feel safe when they are out and about, no matter who they
are, where they are and what time it is.
I/We do not believe the financial savings are worth risking the well-being of those residents
who choose to be out at night or have to be out for work, especially when you take into
consideration the possible detrimental effects to both the local night time economy and the
environment.
I/We would be interested to hear your opinion on this and look forward to your response.
Yours sincerely,
[Name]