Streetlighting and crime rates

At the last RPC meeting a resident asked the Clerk whether there was any connection between street lights being turned of overnight and increased crime rates – especially people trying car door handles.  We have now received as response from Ryan Long, the PCSO for the area:

“I wouldn’t say it has gone up because of the lights being off, however residents are associating it with this. We had issues with car door handles being tried and vehicles being broken into before the lights were turned off at night. Car door handles and theft from vehicles are occurring because valuables such as laptops and money are being left inside with the car unlocked.”