WORRIED town councillors have made an urgent appeal to see street lights switched on throughout the night in a bid to stem a wave of house burglaries.

Harwich councillors were present at a public meeting in Kingsway Hall, Dovercourt, last week, where angry residents lashed out at police following a rise in crime.

A prominent issue raised by a number of speakers was the lack of late-night street lighting.

Councillor Ivan Henderson said: “We listened to the concerns being raised at the public meeting and have acted by immediately, writing to the leader of Essex County Council requesting the street lights be turned back on to support residents and the police in their attempts to deal with the present increase in crime.

“In recent weeks the level of dwelling and business burglaries, daylight muggings and other criminal acts in Harwich and Dovercourt have reached the level where an urgent public meeting has been held to enable residents to seek assurances and raise their concerns.

“The issue of part night street lighting was prominent in the discussions and it is evident that residents believe that the lack of street lighting throughout the town is a major contributory factor to the present crime levels.

“Essex County Council gave the clear assurance that lights could be immediately switched back on at night if the situation warranted it.”

Harwich MP Bernard Jenkin added his voice to those calling for street lights to be switched on through the night.

Writing to county council leader David Finch, he said: “I am aware that there is no evidence to suggest the lights being switched off has contributed to this increase in burglaries, as most have occurred before the lights are switched off each night.

“However, from the constituents whose opinions I have heard, there is an overwhelming view that they feel considerably safer by the lights being on.

“I understand turning the lights back on will likely not reduce burglary levels.

“However I have no doubt it would improve the public’s perception of their safety, particularly while the local police are working hard to catch these serial criminals.

“I would be grateful if you would consider turned some lights in Harwich back on, at least until crime levels have fallen and these criminals have been ar - rested.”

David Finch, leader of Essex County Council, said: “The safety of residents is of the utmost importance and we will listen to any request from the police if there are concerns about safety in a part night lighting area.

“We work with Essex Police to monitor patterns of crime, anti-social behaviour and road collisions that could be linked to part night lighting.

“Councillor Henderson should note that the recent Lanterns national project report concluded that there is no evidence that reduced street lighting is associated with increases in crime.”