Street lighting increases theft from cars, rather than deterring opportunists

Street lighting makes people feel safer, but its actual effects are not straightforward. Photograph: Oleg Mitiukhin/Alamy

Whether lighting is a deterrent to burglars or simply helps them see what they are doing has been a matter of hot debate. Now research suggests that when it comes to reducing theft from cars, it might be best to leave criminals in the dark.

Researchers found the level of night-time thefts from cars almost halved when street lighting was turned off between midnight and 5am, compared with staying on all night.