RESIDENTS in three areas of Burnley will be safer at night when a new backstreet lighting system is set up.

Criminals will no longer have the cover of darkness when the "wave lighting" scheme comes to Burnley Wood, Stoneyholme and Daneshouse.

Lights will be attached to every third house on a block, and they operate automatically when people walk up the back street, making a wave effect as each one comes on.

About 100 lights costing £100 each will be installed funded by money from the Home Office. Many of the existing street lamps will also be updated as part of the scheme.

Crime prevention officer Sergeant Harvey Thompson said: "Wave lighting is a simple concept which will have tremendous benefits to residents in the area.

"Almost 50 of the lights will be installed in Stoneyholme and Daneshouse this month, with an equal number planned for Burnley Wood."

Council community safety officer Adrian Leather said: "Improving lighting increases community confidence and signals to residents that the local authority is investing in their area.

"We may install more lights in the future depending on how successful they are."

Many residents at community meetings and police forums have called for better lighting and security.

Since the launch of the Burglary Safe Schemes in the three highlighted areas, police say house burglaries have been reduced by 60 per cent. All recorded crimes are down by 26 per cent in Stoneyholme and Daneshouse and by 37 per cent in Burnley Wood.

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