Neighbourhood Watch street lighting worry
A Crawley Neighbourhood Watch (CNHW) member is concerned for her street’s safety after a street light move left her CCTV in the dark.
Linda Newman, 65, from Selham Close, Ifield, enjoyed the security of the CCTV in her front garden before West Sussex County Council (WSCC) moved a street lamp near her home in December leaving the area ‘pitch black’ at night.
She said: “My CCTV camera could pick up people walking past but now it’s pitch black. People have to walk around with torches now.”
Mrs Newman said the CCTV used to pick up on anti- social behaviour such as dropping litter or jumping on cars.
She said: “Police used to come here if we had people pinching things from the street because they often use the pathway by my house as a run through.
“This CCTV gave me a sense of security, now we can’t help the police any more.”
Mrs Newman estimates that 30 to 40 residents, including many OAPs, have had their homes plunged into darkness by the change in lighting.
A spokesperson for WSCC said the light positions had been moved and white lighting had replaced some yellow lighting in order to meet British Lighting Standards.
The spokesperson said: “The old sodium lighting that was in the road previously did not work well for CCTV systems, the replacement white lighting is a much better light source for CCTV.
“The British Lighting Standards require the lighting to not fall below a set minimum.
“By moving a column position this may mean that this particular spot is not as bright as it was, however if the road meets the required standard then it is adequate.”
Sergeant Jim Collen from Crawley Police Station said Mrs Newman’s CCTV footage had been useful to the police in the past.
He said: “Mrs Newman is a major contributor to the Neighbourhood Watch Scheme and we value her input.”
Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) Rachel Limbrik visited the area.
Sgt Collen explained : “Rachel was able to survey the area and she believes there is still significant light sources so the usefulness of the camera shouldn’t be undermined. Police will continue to survey the situation with WSCC.”
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Weather for Crawley
Wednesday 22 May 2013
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 5 C to 16 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Light showers
Temperature: 4 C to 12 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: North west
