Urban Street Lighting: A Tool for Deterring Crime and Supporting Thriving Communities

Urban street lighting has the potential to exert a positive influence on behaviour, including helping to deter crime. This, in turn, creates safer, more inclusive places where people want to live or visit.

According to the UK's College of Policing, well-designed urban street lighting can result in a 20% reduction in night crime. Night-time lighting also has the power to transform spatial equity.

The OECD’s How’s Life? 2020 Index found that four in ten women and two in ten men say they do not feel safe when walking alone at night in their neighbourhood. This aligns with the UK government’s latest Opinions and Lifestyle Survey (OPN), which found that people felt less safe walking alone after dark in all settings compared to during the day, with women feeling less safe than men.

Through the provision of suitable lighting and improved visibility in public spaces, a broader range of individuals will be encouraged to use these spaces, fostering a more inclusive community.

Enhanced urban lighting can also unlock potential local economic advantages. Increased footfall on the streets of our towns and cities after dark contributes to bolstering the night-time economy. This is explored further in a 2020 report by Arup, which examines the role of lighting in the recovery and transformation of town centres.

Crime Prevention through Environmental Design 

Urban street lighting is a key component of Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) strategies – a design approach that emphasises how the physical environment can influence criminal behaviour.

Well-lit streets improve visibility, discouraging criminal activity by making it easier for police, as well as bystanders, to respond to potential threats. Street lighting can also enhance the effectiveness of local surveillance systems, such as CCTV, in acting as a crime deterrent.

Here are 5 key design considerations of CPTED:

• Placement and coverage: Lighting fixtures should be strategically placed to minimise shadowy areas where criminal activity could occur. For example, high-crime areas, such as alleys or secluded corners, require particular attention to ensure full coverage.
• Intensity and colour temperature: Bright, cool-toned lights are often preferred for urban environments as they enhance visibility and a sense of safety. However, overly bright lights can cause glare and discomfort. Luminaires that are Dark Sky approved are designed to reduce light pollution , as well as providing tightly controlled distribution and beam angles. This ensures that light is only directed where it needs to be. Only luminaires with a colour temperature of 3000K or lower can be DarkSky approved.

• Control and adaptability: Implementing lighting systems with adjustable brightness and motion sensors can optimise energy efficiency while still providing adequate illumination where and when it is needed most. This adaptive approach ensures that resources are used efficiently while maintaining safety standards.
• Resilient and robust products: Luminaires manufactured from high-quality materials are more resistant to water and dust ingress, as well as being able to withstand impact from vandalism and changing weather conditions.
• Community engagement: Involving local communities in the design process can help foster a sense of ownership and responsibility for the public spaces. Community input can provide valuable insights into specific safety concerns and preferences, helping to tailor lighting solutions to meet the community’s needs more effectively.

Better, Safer Places

Lighting plays a pivotal role in enabling better, safer, and more inclusive places. By thoughtfully illuminating public spaces, , urban spaces can become places that deter criminal activity, foster community safety, and promote a sense of well-being among residents and visitors. 

• As a leading lighting manufacturer committed to supporting better and safer public environments, Tamlite offers a range of urban realm lighting solutions. For more information, please visit our website.