Crime sprees across UK bolster streetlights campaign

RECENT reports linking night time streetlight switch-offs to an increase in crime in cities in the UK could help bolster the Students’ Guild’s Save Our Streetlights (SOS) campaign, by providing the much needed evidence of the dangers associated with the Council’s plans, which the Guild previously lacked.

 

Photo credits to Students’ Guild

The Students’ Guild has been campaigning for several months against Devon County Council’s plans to implement their streetlight policy in Exeter, which would leave a vast number of streets in darkness for five hours each night as streetlights are switched off.

 

However, until now, the Guild has been struggling to provide substantive evidence to back-up their fears of potential life-threatening consequences that could occur as a result of such plans coming to fruition.

 

A recent press release published by the Students’ Guild points to examples in Warwickshire and Dorset, where councils carried out and tested a streetlight policy similar to the one planned for Exeter, which demonstrate various dangers.

 

Last December in Warwick, a student was killed by a taxi in the early hours of the morning in an unlit area.

 

Warwick University’s student newspaper, The Boar, reported that the taxi driver responsible believed that the streetlight switch-off was a contributing factor, as “officers were unable to locate Mr Wellbelove’s body in the dark, and could not ascertain the extent of his injuries in time”.

 

In Weymouth, a campaign to turn streetlights on again has been successful after a recent crime spree left residents feeling unsafe.

 

In the Guild’s press release, a further standout report that is pointed to, besides these examples in Warwickshire and Dorset, is that of Milton Keynes, where the local council reversed their decision to turn off streetlights at night due to statistics from Police accident data which suggested a correlation between two deaths and a 30 per cent increase in nighttime accidents and the Council’s streetlight switch off.

 

The Students’ Guild believes that such evidence proves the exact dangers that Exeter’s residents could face, should the streetlight policy come into action.

 

It hopes that the Council will now be more inclined to seriously listen to their arguments, which are shared by many in Exeter.

 

The Guild’s SOS petition has received 2,500 signatures from University students, and approximately 90 per cent of St James Local Resident Group are also said to be against the planned changes.

 

By Raj Kular, Senior Reporter 

Spate of attacks intensifies concerns over safety

Photo credits to Joshua Irwandi

Concerns for student safety have been raised after a series of muggings and assaults on students in Exeter.

Between 10 October and 20 October, a total of six students were mugged and physically assaulted in residential areas close to the city centre.

One robber was wielding a knife, although it was not used to attack the student, while one lone male was attacked by a gang of robbers on Queen Street.

Three incidents were reported on York Road, an area close to the City Centre, and a major thoroughfare for students. Another attack was reported nearby on St James Road, while a fifth attack occurred metres from the Co-Operative shop on Pennsylvania Road in the early hours of the morning – a well-lit area usually known for its heavy foot traffic during both day and night.

Another incident occurred on the 10 October on Queen Street at 00:45, when a gang of males robbed a lone male who was waiting for a lift from Exeter Central train station.

All of the attacks happened between the times of 22:30 – 05:30.

In all cases, thieves barged into their victims from behind, stealing handbags, mobiles, purses and other valuables, and leaving some with physical injuries.

All incidents involved lone males and females walking through residential areas in the early hours of the morning.

The news follows just one month after a female was sexually assaulted on King William Street, metres from the busy High Street.

The recent spate of attacks has prompted concerns from the Students’ Guild and the local police. Grace Hopper, VP Welfare and Community, said: “It is horrible that students have been victims of such crimes.

“My advice would be to never walk home at night, stick to main roads and always make sure your valuables are never on show to opportunists.”

Photo credits to Joshua Irwandi

Sarah Bloor, the University Police Community Support Officer (PCSO), said: “Robbery is more likely to take place in quiet or dark areas, and I would like to advise against anyone walking home alone in the hours of darkness.

“Whenever possible, stick to well-lit, busy areas where you can clearly see other people.

“Think about carrying a personal alarm with you, which can be used to disorientate and shock an attacker.

“Carrying a mobile phone is a good idea in case of emergencies, but keep it concealed, and only use it when you have to.

“If you have a shoulder bag, wear it across your shoulders to lower the risk of it being snatched.”

A University spokesperson said: “Traditionally Exeter has had an extremely low crime rate.

“The Estate Patrol provide support and assistance 24 hours a day and would encourage students to contact them if they feel intimidated.

“If anyone feels they are in immediate danger please call the police in the first instance.

“We would always advise students to use well-lit areas when walking at night and try to avoid walking alone.”

Students have expressed concern at the increase of attacks in areas normally considered ‘safe’, busy and well-lit.

A third-year female student has spoken of her shock when she was mugged near her house on Mount Pleasant in October last year: “I never thought many incidents would take place in a  city like Exeter, but I’ve become much more aware.

“I now make sure I never walk home late at night, and make sure my friends don’t either.”

The attacks have also prompted increased opposition to Devon County Council’s plans to switch off many of Exeter’s street lights at night.

The Students’ Guild has called the plans “reckless”, and has suggested that such measures will seriously affect perceptions of student safety in Exeter.

 

By Tom Payne, Editor