Northampton business owner blames lights’ switch off for theft
A BUSINESS owner has blamed Northamptonshire County Council’s decision to turn off all the street lights in a Northampton industrial estate for causing a burglary of £5,000 worth of equipment from his premises.
On Sunday night, thieves cut through a fence next to a lamppost which was switched off by the county council last year and stole two catalytic converters from vans parked in a secure compound in Round Spinney owned by Euro Towers Ltd.
Roger Verallo, managing director of the business, said he blamed the county council for the burglary as he said street lighting would have acted as a deterrent for thieves.
Mr Verallo has written to county council chief executive, Paul Blantern, calling for more support for businesses in Round Spinney.
Mr Verallo said: “The cut to the fence was made where there is a lamppost but of course no light. I hold the council totally to be the cause of this incident.
“We have been on this estate for 18 years, a British manufacturer bringing employment, money and prestige to Northampton for this we receive nothing from ‘our’ council.”
Mr Verallo’s wife Sue said businesses in Round Spinney were wondering what they paid their rates for as the roads were not in a good state.
Mrs Verallo said: “As soon as it gets dark the estate is pitch black. There is no support from the council for businesses down here.
“We are a good employer for the town and have 50 staff. The council should be trying to make our life easier.”
A spokesman for Northamptonshire County Council said the local authority had liaised with police in deciding which lights to switch off.
The spokesman said: “The lights haven’t been turned off on an ad-hoc basis. We’ve worked hard to establish a rationale, available at www.northamptonshire.gov.uk/streetlights and have liaised closely with the police to help make our decisions. We continue to liaise with the police and monitor any feedback we receive to stay aware of any issues which arise. In addition a new PFI scheme will see all of the county’s street lighting stock replaced over the next five years. The new, modern lighting system will provide a more consistent, better quality of light and will be much cheaper to run.”
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There are 4 comments to this article
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northamptongirl69
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 10:06 PMmmmm. Perhaps a little cynical.. but someone must have know that these items happened to be in the vans and targeted them! Fail to see the link to street lighting. Given the cost of the items why not provide your own security to protect your property.
nad
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 04:39 PMStatistically more crimes are committed under a full moon than under a new moon. That suggests that criminals need light and cannot commit crimes in total darkness which is the opposite to what these are saying. Turning the lights off should actualy decrease crime, I wonder if something else might be affecting the crime figures and the light switch off is a convinient scapegoat
Common sense
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 10:12 AM#1....The police have to protect decent people from all kinds. what people do within their four walls is up to them. If they do things in public places then the time of day has nothing to do with it. Thebusiness owner--should blame the criminals.
the new news of the world
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 09:29 AMMaybe the police should patrol these areas protecting property from scumbag theives at 11pm at night instead of hunting down men in a lay by who are no danger to the public at that time of night
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