Turning off street lamps has not led to a rise in car crashes or crime, a new study has found.

There had been concerns that switching off street lighting would increase the likelihood of traffic incidents, burglaries and sexual assaults.

But the survey analysed 62 councils in England and Wales and detected no increase in car crashes or criminal behaviour when lights were off.

However, since many coroners have blamed a lack of street lighting for numerous road deaths, the findings of the new report are sure to be contested.

Other research has also pointed to a rise in traffic accidents due to unlit streets.

14 years’ worth of data from 62 English and Welsh councils was analysed. Each authority have a different approach to handling street lighting, from turning all lights off, to switching all of them on.

The researchers looked at crime statistics from 2010-13 and compared them to councils' lighting strategies.

Offences such as burglary, violence and sexual assaults were analysed – since they were more likely to occur at night.

The study found no link between unlit streets and an increase in crime.

Researchers also found no link between a lack of street lighting and car accidents.

Lead investigator Dr Phil Edwards, of University College London, said: ‘An estimated £300m is spent every year on street lights in the UK.

‘At a time when local authorities need to make spending cuts, our findings show that by carefully assessing risks, street lighting can be reduced without an increase in car crashes and crime.’