Around Ealing Autumn 2015 | Page 43

HIGHWAYS Research from the council’s highways team has shown that some of the borough’s most poorly lit streets tend to suffer from higher crime rates, reports Deborah Dickey. That is why ‘hotspots’ are getting new lighting. “W e have been improving the lighting in crime hotspots for five years now and 23 separate paths and streets have received an upgrade,” said Councillor Bassam Mahfouz, cabinet member for transport, environment and leisure. “Poorly lit areas can make residents feel nervous and unfortunately attract those who want to carry out anti-social behaviour and crime. “By increasing the number of street lights and, where possible, upgrading them to brighter LED lights, we have literally shed light on the problem and taken away the criminals’ hiding places.” One area that has been upgraded is Beaconsfield Road, Southall (in the photo). In July 2012 work started to make the area brighter and safer in response to concerns raised by local people and councillors. The residential road is near Southall train station and suffered from above average crime rates and had below standard lighting. In the year prior to the lighting upgrade, the police had dealt with more than 80 complaints linked to poor lighting, including damage to vehicles, assault, burglary, Councillor Mahfouz under the lights in Beaconsfield Road LIGHTING FACTS 23 lighting upgrades completed Three more coming this year £377,000 invested Crime reduced by an average of 17% across the 23 completed schemes harassment and drugs possession. The council invested £30,000 in changing the 41 old fashioned orange sodium streetlights to brighter LED and the result was a significant drop in criminality with around 20% less night time crimes reported to police. Significantly, no night time burglaries or car theft were reported in Beaconsfield Road in the most up-to-date crime stats from 2014. Sergeant Billy Wilson from the Southall Broadway safer neighbourhood team has noticed the difference. He said: “The new lights are much brighter and give us a far better view along the street. They have also reduced the shadows in which criminals like to hide.” Councillor Mahfouz continued: “It makes sense that if a street is well lit, it will be less attractive to criminals. The good news is that new LED lanterns are being added across the borough so every street is eventually going to benefit from this improved lighting, while saving the council money on electricity and maintenance bills. We are investing £6million in this switch, and I believe this is money well spent.” around eali