Dear Editor — In the middle of the 18th century, in an attempt to reduce street crime, citizens in London were obliged by law to hang lamps outside their houses on dark nights. This law was extended to other areas of the UK.

Now, 150 years later, most of the county’s street lights are to be switched off after midnight – to save money.

But criminals, unlike McDonald’s, are open for business all night and must be rubbing their hands – yet I have heard not a word of dissent from our local police or any other emergency service.

So it seems that citizens will be back where they started – hanging (and paying for) lights outside their homes on dark nights.

Today’s financial climate demands economies, but not backward steps. Non-essential expenditure should be targeted – items that will not be missed.

By Pembrokeshire County Council standards the savings are modest, and an alternative might be to get rid of just one of the council’s executive officers (together with his/her expenses etc) and then the lights could remain on and the county would still be in pocket.

Then perhaps we could sacrifice a county councillor or two — to pay for the Christmas lights.

Ron Waters 3 Trafalgar Terrace Neyland