CORNWALL Council is reassuring people that its policy of switching off streetlights after midnight is not leading to more crime in the county.

The council has responded after St Austell Town Council complained about streetlights being switched off in residential areas of the town, fearing there would be a rise in crime and anti-social behaviour.

Streetlights have been switched off and dimmed across the county under the Cornwall Council initiative, with parts of St Austell being among the last to see the change.

A Cornwall Council spokesperson said: “Our vast network of 56,000 streetlights currently contribute to around 30 per cent of the council’s total carbon emissions. By turning off or dimming streetlights between midnight and 5am, we are acting to cut carbon emissions, reduce energy use and reduce light pollution to help nature recovery, as well as helping to offset the increase in energy prices.  

“Safety is at the forefront in any decision about the part-time switch-off of street lights. Before determining specific locations, we consult with the emergency services and thoroughly discuss with local policing teams. Evidence from other local authorities that have already implemented similar night-time switch-offs shows that levels of crime and the number of traffic accidents do not increase.

Streetlights in many residential areas in St Austell will be affected by the Cornwall Council scheme. (Picture: Andrew Townsend)
Streetlights in many residential areas in St Austell are affected by the Cornwall Council scheme. (Picture: Andrew Townsend)

“The switch-off programme was approved by the then council’s Cabinet in November 2023. It has since been rolled out in phases across Cornwall and we remain in regular contact with the police to monitor the impact. There have been no increases in crime or incidents reported in any area related to switching off streetlights between midnight and 5am.

“We continue to carry out risk assessments and share data with local stakeholders so that any concerns or requests – including requests from parish and town councils for areas where they want to see streetlights switched off or turned back on again – are fully considered.  

“Streetlights will remain on between midnight and 5am in various locations. These include: traffic signal junctions, pedestrian crossings, subways, some roundabouts and junctions; parts of town centres and footpaths that are still relatively busy during the night; certain roads where there is traffic calming and speed humps; and areas where there is CCTV or police surveillance equipment .”

During a St Austell Town Council discussion about the policy, disappointment was expressed that town and parish councils and the public were not formally consulted on the matter.

The potential for doorbell cameras not to work if they are recording in the darkness was highlighted as was the potential for more thefts and burglaries in residential areas left in darkness.

There were also concerns for the safety of people walking home after a night out and shiftworkers walking to and from work. Councillors were particularly concerned about the safety of vulnerable people including women and children.

The town council voted to object to the policy “due to the well-known ASB (anti-social behaviour) and crime issues in this area and the strong likelihood that ASB and crime will increase as a result of the additional periods of darkness”.