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    Feel safer

    at night

    Security


    Light plays a big part in whether we feel safe outside at night. In poorly-lit areas, faces are harder to recognise, and it can be difficult to tell if someone is lurking in the shadows. Research in Poland found that when walking through an unlit area, almost three quarters of participants feared for their safety.
    Women are walking in a street effectively illuminated by Philips

    Reassuring with white light  

     

    White light offers new levels of comfort and security. By delivering delivers superior color rendering and a higher perceived brightness, it makes it easier to distinguish objects, colors, shapes and other details. Even from a distance, facial recognition is improved under white light, which helps to remove anxiety. White light also gives the most balanced illumination with no intimidating areas of shadow.

     

    A street illuminated with Philips white light while making citizens to feel safer

    Creating a virtuous circle of security  


    White light creates a self-perpetuating chain of events – a ‘virtuous circle’ – leading to greater security. If residents feel safer in the streets, they will use them more. With greater numbers of people walking and cycling outside, the streets will become less desolate and more welcoming.

     

    With more people outside, acts of vandalism and crime are discouraged, making the city even more appealing to residents and visitors.

    Reducing crime, fighting fear  


    White light can actually help make society safer. Recent studies strongly suggest that increased lighting and uniformity decreases the fear of crime, and that white light helps to catch criminals.

     

    According to a spokesperson from Neath Port Talbot Council, Wales, “White light assists in reducing crime by improving lighting levels and increasing facial and color recognition. This deters criminals and assists the police.” White light also improves surveillance camera picture quality, helping to provide clearer evidence.

    Policeman is watching the security cameras
    Creating a safer parking lot with Philips white light

    Combatting crime with light: a comparative study

     

    In 2000, research projects carried out by the University of Cambridge’s Institute of Criminology, investigated the effects of improved street lighting on crime in two urban areas in the UK. In Dudley, crimes decreased by 41% in the experimental area, compared to a 15% decrease in a control area.

     

    In Stoke, crimes decreased by 43% in the experimental area and by 45% in two adjacent areas, compared with a decrease of only 2% in two control areas. The conclusion was that the savings from reduced crimes exceeded the financial costs of the street lighting improvements by between 2.4 and 10 times after one year. The link between crime rates and illumination suggest that the new lights not only help to combat crime, but also pay for themselves by reducing illegal activity.

    Downloads

    White Light brochure

    pdf 3,46 MB