Many of your readers are concerned re the restriction of street lighting during night hours.

When private security lighting systems became popular several years ago, many farmers installed them to try and combat the theft of their equipment.

However, according to the BBC Farming Today programme the level of crime was not affected and in some instances it actually increased as the criminals could now see what they were doing and it took half the time to commit the task, load up and run.

You cannot expect the farmer or farmworkers to stay up all night waiting for the lighting to activate especially in the early days when even a passing animal would set it off.

In this respect I agree with the Dorset County Council whether it be town or country.

If a criminal can clearly see his target then the crime is committed quickly and easily.

Cliff Rogers Castle Hill Cottages Abbotsbury