Item 8

CDW/12/20 Place Scrutiny Committee 4 September 2012

Street Lighting: Update

Report of the Head of Capital Development and Waste Management

1. Summary

This report provides an update on the response of the Police to the request for firm evidence of the impact of part-night lighting on levels of crime within the communities within which it has been introduced.

2. Background

Place Scrutiny Committee considered report CDW/12/12 at its meeting on 12 June 2012. The report included an update on progress of the implementation of the Street Lighting Carbon Saving Programme, which includes for part-night lighting of street lighting in residential areas.

The Committee resolved “that the Police be asked to provide firm evidence of the impact of part-night street lighting on levels of crime in the communities within which it had been introduced.” (Minute *39(b) refers.)

The Committee also resolved “that a report on the response of the Police and the proposed order for completing the remainder of the part-night lighting programme be submitted to the Committee in September 2012.” (Minute *39(c) refers.)

3. Responses received from the Police

The Police were asked to provide feedback and evidence on crime levels in the areas where part-night lighting has been introduced. They have responded and their feedback includes the following comments:

“As the times checked would be from 0030 to 0500 I would anticipate very little change in either direction.

Clearly there are no massive issues or you would have been contacted immediately.

A lot of concern is in relation to the fear of crime and anti social behaviour and not the actual occurrence.”

The full response from the Police is attached at Appendix I.

The involvement of the Police in the process of deciding which lights to convert to part-night operation and which to leave on all night appears to have resulted in satisfactory schemes in relation to the impacts on road users and more generally on crime.

The absence of evidence or feedback from the Police on any negative impacts resulting from the implementation of part night lighting in is reassuring and indicative that the processes in place are robust. Item 8

4. Programme for completing the remainder of the Part-night lighting programme

Nearly 33,000 street lights have been converted to part-night operation in over 190 communities across Devon over the last two and a half years. This has resulted in a near 12% decrease in energy consumption to 3,888,266 kWh at the end of 2011/12, Carbon emissions have been reduced by 2,000 tonnes over the same period, which is half the anticipated target at the introduction of the policy.

Given the funding available, this progress is set to continue this year. There are some 90 communities that still remain to be converted to part-night operation, including , , , , , , and and these account for about 20,000 lights.

The following table sets out the proposed programme:

Community Consultations Implementation Barnstaple Completed Winter 2012 Exeter Underway Spring 2013 Teignmouth Nearing completion Spring 2013 Kingsteignton Nearing completion Spring 2013 Cullompton Nearing completion Spring 2013 Okehampton Underway Spring 2013 Kingskerswell Completed Winter 2012 Exminster Nearing completion Spring 2013 Other Rural Communities Various stages On going up to 2015

David Whitton Head of Capital Development and Waste Management

Electoral Divisions: All

Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation: Councillor Stuart Hughes Cabinet Member for Environmental and Community: Councillor Roger Croad

Strategic Director, Place: Heather Barnes

Local Government Act 1972: List of Background Papers

Contact for enquiries: David Whitton

Room No. Matford Offices, County Hall, Exeter. EX2 4QD

Tel No: (01392) 382701

Background Paper Date File Reference

Nil.

dw140812psc Street Lighting Update shc 02 230812 Item 8

Appendix I To CDW/12/20

Full response from the Police:

From: ………………………………………………… Sent: 06 August 2012 10:32 To: ………………………………. Cc: ……………………………. Subject: RE: STREET LIGHTING IN CULLOMPTON NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED Hi ………………..

I can only speak for Torridge and as that is my specified area.

To undertake research across Devon as suggested would be massively time consuming, and with the Forces cutbacks to operational researchers (as opposed to historic) I am advised it is unlikely to be undertaken.

For me to report on selected areas would not necessarily be a true proportionate representation and could be open to challenge. For it to be open and honest a third party needs to select the locations at random.

The crime/incidents for the preceding 12 months would be compared to the same period following diminishing of lighting. As the times checked would be from 0030 to 0500 I would anticipate very little change. – in either direction.

Clearly there are no massive issues or you would have been contacted immediately. A lot of concern is in relation the “the fear of crime and anti social behaviour” and not the actual occurrence.

If someone wishes to identify five streets in my area I will carry out the appropriate research myself.

………………… has now retired, ………………. has replaced him.

Kind regards

………………………………………………………………………………………. Police Architectural Liaison officer North Devon, Mid Devon, & Torridge Districts Devon & Cornwall Constabulary Tel 01271 335351 Mob 07736731925 'Working to build public trust and confidence in policing.'