Within the Benfleet and Thundersley area there has been a significant rise in crime and anti social behaviour which seems to coincide with the turning off of the street lights at night. Whilst the Council may have made a saving this has not been passed on to local residents who are seeing increases in  household insurance as a result of increase in claims due to crime. Whilst the council state that the police force are not supporting the claim of increase in crime during the hours of 1.00am and 5.00am, the residents of the area feel differently and we need to make a stand to get what is classed as a discretionary spend by the council a mandatory requirement. Residents safety and security should be the number one priority of the people we elect to represent us.