Matthew Barber hits out at Oxfordshire County Council’s plans to turn off street lights in Oxfordshire

Matthew Barber has criticised plans by the Lib Dem-run Oxfordshire County Council to cut street lighting across the county which pose a risk to both public safety and public confidence. 

The Police and Crime Commissioner has written to Leader of Oxfordshire County Council objecting to proposals to switch off or dim many street lights in Oxfordshire. 

The plans are expected to be rubber stamped at County Hall this week with no public consultation. They would see most becoming completely dark after 11pm with many areas seeing reduced lighting even earlier in the evening.

Charities and women’s safety campaigners have already hit out at the plans on social media, concerned about the safety and confidence of women. 

In the letter to Oxfordshire County Council, Matthew Barber said: “Badly lit streets can exacerbate both the risk of crime and the fear of crime.

“Thames Valley Police has been leading the way nationally in the work to protect women, particularly in the night time economy, with operations such as Project Vigilant. The unilateral dimming or switching off of street lighting may jeopardise not just the confidence that has been built up, but also the safety of women in the county”

In the letter, Matthew Barber also raises concerns about the impact on the falling levels of knife crime, recent investment in CCTV and anti-social behaviour. Read the full letter here. 

If you’re concerned about the Lib Dem-run County Council’s plans to switch off street lights, visit keepthelightson.uk to find out more and sign the petition calling for the council to help keep our streets safe.