RESEARCH that concluded there is no link between crashes and crime and turning streetlights off at night has been welcomed in Dorset.

The study, conducted by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, in partnership with UCL, suggests local authorities can safely reduce street lighting at night, saving energy costs and reducing carbon emissions.

Researchers analysed 14 years of data from 62 local authorities across England and Wales that had implemented a range of reduced street light strategies, as well as crime and road safety data.

These strategies included switching lights off permanently, reducing the number of hours that lamps are switched on at night, dimming lights and replacing traditional orange lamps with energy efficient white light LED lamps.

Crime and road safety data between 2010 and 2013 was analysed, the type of street lighting used was examined alongside traffic collisions and night-time offences.

Findings suggest that energy saving street lighting adaptations have not increased crime levels in the neighbourhoods that were studied.

Dorset County Council (DCC), which took part in the survey, recently completed a part-night street lighting programme as part of its drive to reduce energy costs.

Part-night lighting has been rolling out across Dorset since 2011. It is operational on all urban residential roads and most rural ones.

DCC worked with Dorset Police, plus parish and town councils to decide which streets were included in the part-night switch off.

These areas included town centres, designated traffic routes, roundabouts and roads with vertical speed humps.

Some areas with higher crime levels, CCTV installations or all night use – near police stations or hospitals – continue to be lit all night.

Cllr Peter Finney, the county council’s cabinet member for environment, said the findings of the survey support the results of an earlier investigation by Dorset Police.

He added: “By turning off streetlights at midnight, we are looking at initial savings of at least £300,000 per year.

"This money can be used to provide essential services for the tax payers of Dorset."

“Although there is no actual link between crime, traffic collisions and turning off streetlights in the early hours, many residents still have a fear of these happening.

“This research by an independent body should help to dispel those fears.”

West Dorset and town councillor Stella Jones, who has previously raised concerns about streetlights being switched off, said the conclusion of the research was good news not only for the residents, but also for the council’s attempts to save electricity.

She said: “Hopefully it will put people’s fears to rest.”

More information about Dorset’s part-night street lighting can be found on dorsetforyou.com/partnightlighting