THE county council is facing calls to put safety before money and reverse their decision to switch off street lights following the death of Sarah Everard.

The 33-year-old was killed and her body dumped in woodland in Kent after she disappeared on her way home in London on March 3.

Hampshire County Council introduced reduced lighting hours between 1am and 4am in Andover back in 2019 in a bid to save cash.

But the authority is now under pressure to reverse the move, as the government has launched a £45 million Safer Streets fund where councils can apply for money to improve street lighting and CCTV in the wake of Miss Everard’s death.

Grandmother, mother and borough councillor Iris Andersen, 74, is now challenging the council to take action and said it is time that “public safety” is put before money.

Speaking to The Advertiser, she said: “I beg Hampshire County Council to find a way, for the safety of women that might get attacked, raped, not knowing who is behind you walking home in the dark.”

Hampshire County Council said it has found “no direct relationship between street lighting times and changes in crime patterns” but it “welcomes” the government’s new safety funds initiative.

Also in this week’s paper:

- Andover man in 'unpleasant' attack in Hook

- Four generations of family raise funds for NHS ward

- New art and park for town

- MPs raise concerns new North Hampshire hospital could be put at risk

- New market for Ludgershall

- Tributes to 'loving' mother at inquest

- 100 years of the Enham Trust

- Council writes off debts

- Two pages of YOUR letters

- And much, much more

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