U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.

NCJRS Virtual Library

The Virtual Library houses over 235,000 criminal justice resources, including all known OJP works.
Click here to search the NCJRS Virtual Library

Critical Review of Street Lighting, Crime and Fear of Crime in the British City

NCJ Number
201012
Journal
Crime Prevention and Community Safety: An International Journal Volume: 5 Issue: 2 Dated: 2003 Pages: 7-24
Author(s)
P. M. Cozens; R. H. Neale; J. Whitaker; D. Hillier; M. Graham
Date Published
2003
Length
18 pages
Annotation
This article examines the relationship between street lighting and crime in the United Kingdom.
Abstract
Researchers contend that half of all recorded crimes occur after dark, with fear of crime experienced disproportionately after dark. This article presents a brief review of literature concerning the relationship between crime prevention and improved street lighting. Following a discussion of various theories focusing on the reasons why improved lighting may reduce crime, the article suggests that the installation of lighting increases daytime surveillance of streets during the times that such lighting is installed and maintained. Furthermore, new lighting signals the interest of the community and the police to control crime and may encourage citizens to report criminal behaviors. Improved lighting might also facilitate crime, however, by reducing the visibility in adjacent areas and by increasing social activity outside the home in the evenings. Noting that there are problems associated with using both recorded crime statistics and street lighting standards (BS 5489) in order to assess the relationship between street lights and crime, the article presents a series of tables describing lighting requirements in subsidiary roads, associated pedestrian areas, and for general traffic situations. Potential crime reduction efforts of improving street lighting can be enhanced by conducting research contributing to an understanding of how users perceive after-dark environments. Notes, references