RESIDENTS should study crime figures to keep their street lights switched on, according to Essex’s police and crime commissioner.

Nick Alston gave the advice as Castle Point residents raised fears their streets would become hotspots for drugs and burglaries once their lights are turned off.

Essex County Council will turn off Canvey’s street lights between midnight and 5am from December 1.

During a meeting with Mr Alston in the Paddocks, Canvey, Grace Watson, Canvey Independent councillor for Canvey North, said: “My worry is the lights going off is opening this area back up to drug users, alcoholics and antisocial behaviour, as well as burglaries.

“Burglaries will go up and opinions of the police will go down.”

Mr Alston said it was up to the public to lobby the county council to get the lights back on.

He added: “We should be concerned and we should look at data. If crime goes up, you need to give your local and county council a hard time. I think they will be receptive. This has come up a lot and there is virtually no evidence crime goes up. In Maldon, there haven’t been lights for ages and there was no rise in crime, but there is virtually no crime in Maldon anyway.

“What does go down is antisocial behaviour because most is caused in areas which are well-lit.

There needs to be a proper debate about that.”