A LEADING St John’s county councillor has called for county highways chiefs to pilot an experiment using blue street lights in order to reduce crime and suicides.
Coun Richard Udall said he had been made aware of blue streetlights in Glasgow, Japan and America; which have reduced street crime by as much as ten percent and totally eradicated suicides at railway stations in Japan.
“Nobody really knows why it works, suggestions include blue being peaceful and relaxing colour, others have said it resembles a blue flashing light of a Police Car, it is known that blue light does work to reduce seasonal depression during the winter months”.
Blue streetlights started in Glasgow, purely as a decretive measure, but the police reported a dramatic reduction in crime, it has now been copied in different parts of the world, and evidence exists that it has had very similar results”.
“Blue streetlights would also be very attractive and something new, which if used in the correct places could also improve the street scene”.
“I would like to see blue street lights tested in Worcester, maybe in New Road, Tybridge Street and Hylton Road by the riverside. I will be asking the County Council to investigate and implement a trial to see if people like them and to monitor any impact on crime and disorder”.
“If they work it would be great and may be something we could use in other areas where nighttimes crime has become a problem, if it doesn’t work, it may just make the riverside look a little better and improve the atmosphere,” he added.
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