LABOUR’S Clacton by-election candidate Tim Young has backed a campaign calling for Tendring’s streetlights to be switched back on.

Two-thirds of streetlights go off between midnight and 5am as part of Essex County Council’s scheme to save money and reduce carbon emissions.

Critics claim it has led to an increase in crime and has made the work of the emergency services more difficult.

Mr Young has teamed up with streetlight campaigner Maureen Smith to call for the scheme to be scrapped.

He said: “Every day on the doorstep people are asking me about things like the cost of living and the NHS, but one of the top local issues they have is the streetlight switch-off.

“This is an incomprehensible policy the Tories on Essex County Council have made.”

He claimed the council had not done any risk assessments in Tendring to see what the impact on safety would be.

Mrs Smith, who launched the We Want Our Lights Back On campaign, added: “Tim’s elderly mum and dad live in Clacton, so he really understands how frightening it can be for frail or vulnerable pensioners to be faced with a pitchblack street.

“Tim’s just the kind of bright spark we need on our side.”

County Hall highways boss Rodney Bass said the council is aware of Mr Young's view but still believe inthe scheme.

He also said the council had carried out comprehensive risk assessments before the switch-off took effect.