We are calling for Norfolk County Council to keep certain residential street lights on for longer – at the moment 86% of residential lights in Norwich (that’s over 2,500 street lights) are turned off between midnight and 5am. This is part of Norfolk County Council’s ‘Part Night Lighting’ scheme which limits night-time lighting. We believe that Norwich residents should be able to walk home at night without being scared, unsafe or uncomfortable.

UEA Student Union conducted our own research last year Light up Campus and found significant disclosures of students feeling unsafe in unlit areas and street harassment on their walk home. Young working professionals and students are often the ones walking home late at night, whether that’s from the library, their work in the City or a night out.

“If I'm walking after a certain time there are very few lights and I fear other people attacking me.” (Female, UEA Student)

 We acknowledge the an investigation show no significant rise in crime, however we know that street harassment and being followed are often not reported to the police for many reasons. UEA Student Union did our own research 'Light up Campus' which found that the majority of students (56.2%) who live in the city walk home reported disturbing accounts of street harassment and being followed home.

“…street harassment is really bad in the area between the city centre and Magdalene Street.” (Female, UEA Student)

It is for these reasons that we want Norfolk County Council to light up the residential areas of Norwich where a significant number of young working professionals and students live. We want Norwich to be a safe city for everyone, and for everyone to feel safe.