Southampton street lights could be switched off at night

The move has been unveiled as part of the council's budget for 2023/24. Measures could see lights turned off in parts of the city for all or part of the night.

The plans, set to be discussed at a cabinet meeting next week, are expected to see a saving of around £450,000 a year.

But the council's own risk assessment warned: "The fear of crime and the risk of assault may be greater for women and girls."

It also points out the joint third biggest demand in a recent Community Safety Survey was for better lighting across the city.

Areas with high crime rates may not see lights switched off.

The plan comes as the authority attempts to close a £2m black hole caused by rising energy prices nationally. 

It comes as the authority has forecast an overall shortfall of £28.9m for the next financial year. 

Cllr Satvir Kaur.

Councillor Satvir Kaur, council leader said this is "nothing that other authorities aren't doing", vowing that bus stops, the inner city, district centres, major routes and parks "absolutely will not be impacted". 

"Rather than cutting front-line services, we’re really keen to see where we can have efficiencies within street lighting. 

"There is evidence and research that has been done around street lighting and minor thefts actually have gone down when there is street lighting.

"But if we’re having to through no fault of our own have to pay an extra £2m a year on street lighting, it is right and fitting and it is value for money to look at how we’re doing that."

READ MORE: Street light funding in Southampton drops - but lighting 'won't be reduced'

LED lights are already used in some lampposts and a roll out is continuing. It's hoped this will also save cash.

A consultation is set to be launched on the reduction in lighting if it is approved at a meeting next week. 

Cllr Kaur added: "We’re really keen to listen to the results of the consultation but also make it an evidence-based decision.

"We’re really keen that people do feel safe within our local communities and within the city so this isn’t coming as a detriment to that."

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