POLICE in Tiverton have called for brighter lighting around the pannier market amid fears from a local councillor that the area could become a “no go” area late at night.

Matt Lawler, sector inspector for police in Mid Devon, said the present inset-lighting at floor level, although pleasant to look at, “provides limited illumination at night” giving rise to some “concerns about the perceptions of safety in that area given large areas are not illuminated.” The police say more powerful lighting could help people walking through the area late at night feel safer and deter those considering committing crime or anti-social behaviour.

Insp Lawler said while he appreciated the budgetary limitations facing all authorities at present, he believed if there were any scope for improving the lighting in the area, it should be explored. He also noted some floor-level lights within the market precinct were not presently working.

Cllr Kevin Wilson has backed the call for the market car park and area around the main building to be better lit. He said: “We cannot have no-go areas like this in the town centre and particularly places owned by the district council. This is not a new complaint, I have had complaints about the market being rather insalubrious after dark for at least the last year.”

The market and its environs is managed by Mid Devon District Council. whose officers responding to Cllr Wilson’s requests for action, said there was currently no budget provision for increased lighting. Indeed the council says it is “actively looking to reduce lighting levels where it is safe to do so, in an attempt to reduce both its energy costs and carbon footprint.”

The council officer stated that all the lights within the Pannier Market building were serviced a month ago and left in a working condition, although he acknowledged there were still problems with nearby street lights and clock settings which the council was looking into.

Cllr Wilson said he had raised the issue after member of the public had contacted him to say they found the market car park a “frightening” place after dark, but he had been disappointed with the “incalcitrant” way the council seemed to be handling the matter. He said the council appeared unwilling to accept criticism even on “something as basic as public safety and well-being.”

An angry Cllr Wilson claimed: “The council should replace its slogan 'Where People Matter’ to become 'The Answer is No, Now What is the Question?'

The council has not closed the door on the matter though and says lighting within the market area could be further considered, but a crime prevention officer’s report on the issue would likely be required as a starting point for discussion.

This report would need to confine itself to detailing “incidents of crime and anti-social behaviour in the area, suggestions as to the likely causes and contributing factors and proposals for improved prevention, detection and apprehension.” The report is expected to be prepared and presented to the council in the next few weeks.

In October, the council announced plans to increase events in the evening and at weekends at the pannier market.

In North Devon, proposals are currently being considered by the district council to close Barnstaple Pannier Market at night, in a bid to save money through reducing repairs and security measures.