RISING crime in Harwich is causing concern, but is not a result of the streetlight switch-off, it has been claimed.

Harwich MP Bernard Jenkin took on residents’ concerns over criminal activity since the town was plunged into darkness as part of Essex County Council’s cost-cutting part-night lighting scheme.

At a heated meeting last month, members of the public said crime had risen since the switch-off, as had the fear of crime in the town.

But Mr Jenkin has said the rise seemed to be an “isolated” case.

He said: “I consulted other MPs across the county, but Harwich seems to be quite an isolated problem."