Light the way to deter crime on Five Links estate (From Basildon Recorder)

Light the way to deter crime on Five Links estate

3:00pm Monday 4th May 2009

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A RESIDENT claims a lack of street lighting is turning a housing estate into a magnet for crime.

Steve Lambert, who lives on Laindon’s Five Links estate, claims the green is now a haven for criminals because developers have continually failed to install street lighting.

Mr Lambert, 54, of Somercotes, said: “It’s just like the black hole of Calcutta.

“Crime is going to keep happening. People know there is no street lighting, and they can’t be seen.

“The only lights are the ones outside people’s houses – it’s ridiculous.”

Mr Lambert said the green, in Mellow Purgess, is being turned into a car park by developers Swan New Homes as part of the estate’s overhaul. He claims it has been left unlit since February.

Mr Lambert believes the site is not only hazardous for walkers, but is also attracting crooks who know they are hidden.

Just last week the Echo told how 21-year-old Ricky Stebbings, who lives in Mellow Purgess, had his prized Honda Civic car trashed by yobs who threw bricks taken from the builders’ yard close to the green.

His vehicle, which he spent £21,000 modifying, was one of four cars pelted with debris.

Now Mr Lambert fears the lack of lighting will lead to more similar attacks.

He added: “We have a Five Links Working group, where residents meet with Swan and Basildon Council.

“They have been promising since February to put lighting in on the green, but nothing has happened.”

Dave Poulter, director of Regeneration at Swan Housing, said lighting is “close” to being installed.

He added: “Our efforts to install lighting have been hindered by the fact there has been no appropriate power supply available at the green.

“We have been working closely with the local electricity provider to overcome this problem, and are hopeful the situation will be resolved shortly.”

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