A police investigation has been launched following an assault on a woman in her 40s in Shorncliffe Avenue, Norwich. The woman reported that she was attacked just after 2am on 13 April near a park located between Drayton Road and Aylsham Road in the NR3 postcode area. Norfolk Police described the suspect as a white man in his 20s with black hair. Although some local residents initially believed two women were involved, the police have confirmed that only one victim has come forward.
The incident has raised safety concerns among residents, particularly because Shorncliffe Avenue has been plunged into darkness nightly since the local council implemented a cost-cutting measure that switches off streetlights at midnight. This policy, known as 'part night lighting', was introduced by Norfolk County Council in 2010 and involves turning off nearly 20,000 streetlights between midnight and 5am to save money and reduce CO2 emissions.
Several locals, including shift workers, carers, and parents, have expressed unease about walking in the area after dark. Merryn Macalpine, 21, who lives in Shorncliffe Avenue, told the Eastern Daily Press, “It’s a stupid time to turn them off. It just makes it more dangerous around the area. I don’t feel safe walking here at night with the lights off.”
Jamie Chapman, who frequently visits her partner’s home on the street and acts as his carer, shared similar concerns. She said, “It’s really dangerous. I’m his carer and if he calls me in the middle of the night, I can’t go to him because I daren’t walk down here after midnight. It’s pitch black once the lights are off.”
Another woman, who preferred to remain anonymous, said she finishes work at a pub around midnight and has to navigate the street in total darkness. “Since the assault, my partner doesn’t want me walking home on my own so I have to either get a taxi or arrange a lift,” she revealed.
Residents have also noted an increase in antisocial behaviour, particularly in the park located in the middle of Shorncliffe Avenue. The woman who spoke anonymously described adults congregating with dogs in the park and drinking, a behaviour she noted did not occur prior to the streetlights being turned off. She commented, “Lights would deter them.” Although some locals have installed CCTV cameras aimed at the site of the attack, the lack of lighting has rendered them ineffective in capturing clear images.
Labour councillor for Mile Cross, Dr Jacob Huntley, described the assault as “very concerning” and called for an immediate review of the council policy on street lighting. He said, “The County Council must review the decision to cut back on street lighting provision as moving around in the dark is inevitably going to leave people feeling unsafe. Having street lighting in place has a deterrent effect on anti-social behaviour as well, alongside making people feel safer. It needs to be seen as an important resource, not just as a way of cost-cutting when switched off.”
Meanwhile, county councillor Chrissy Rumsby acknowledged the community’s safety concerns and supported restoring the streetlights but cautioned that budget constraints at Norfolk County Council might delay any changes. She said, “I agree that the street lights should be put on for safety around the Shorncliffe Avenue area because I know quite a few people do feel very vulnerable there. The park is a natural place to hang around in after dark – there’s no one to see you there or what you’re doing, so it attracts anti-social behaviour. So I definitely support the community, but I also know I’ll get a big 'no' at County Hall because of the budgets. Yet again, this is a decision made about money and I do feel quite strongly that there is a major safety issue here. Maybe something can be done to make people feel safe by coordinating with the police. I’m always very happy to speak to any residents who have concerns in the Mile Cross area.”
A spokesman for Norfolk County Council reiterated their continued commitment to supporting police in crime reduction efforts and directed residents to further information on how to raise concerns via the council’s website.
This series of events highlights the ongoing discussions in the Shorncliffe Avenue community regarding public safety and the impact of reduced street lighting on local residents’ sense of security.
Source: Noah Wire Services