Campaigners walked the streets after dark to highlight the "dangers" of turning off streetlights overnight.

Emma Kosmin, who stood as a Labour candidate in Central Watford in May, was joined by councillors and residents on Saturday night as they strolled from Watford Junction to Watford Fields.

Ms Kosmin says people in Watford feel "unsafe" and she says she had been told that crime has increased.

She said: "During my campaign I met shift workers, including a nurse, who are fearful of walking home in the dark and a residents' group who tell me that car crime has gone up since the switch off."

Chairman of Watford Borough council, Cllr Asif Khan, who took part in Saturday's walk, added: "I wanted to see what it is like walking without the lights at night and relay my findings to the county hall.

"I think it could be dangerous in some parts and it is important that the street-lights are turned back on."

Watford Observer:

Emma Kosmin with Labour councillors, Lib Dem councillor Stephen Giles-Medhurst, and residents at the night walk. Credit: Emma Kosmin

Towards the end of last year, Hertfordshire County Council voted to turn off streetlights at 1am despite a call from Lib Dem leader Cllr Stephen Giles-Medhurst to leave them on until 2am - he says he continues to oppose the council's decision.

The council made the decision in 2012 to switch to part night lighting and turn lights off in appropriate areas after midnight until 6am.

The lights are designed to be energy saving and cost-effective for taxpayers. The council has since introduced LED bulbs which keeps the lights on until 1am.

County council executive member for highways and environment, Cllr Phil Bibby, said: "I appreciate some residents’ concern about feeling more at risk.

"I have to say that experience has shown, supported by the police, that our streets are no less safe with part night lighting.

"Our experience with the new LED system is now allowing us to further review our policy, following resident feedback, and this will be debated at council over the winter months."

Labour has started a petition to turn the streetlights back on and this can be found here