TURNING off street lights in Monmouthshire is 'inviting criminals', a Caldicot councillor has said.

Monmouthshire council, as part of budget measures to save £180,000, are turning off street lights in residential areas of the county from 12pm to 5am. They started rolling out the scheme last year and have already turned off lights in Chepstow, Monmouth, Abergavenny and Usk.

Street lights in Caldicot will be turned off from September 1.

Caldicot town councillor Frank Rowberry, member for Dewstow ward, voiced his concerns at a town council meeting last week.

He said: "I think frankly, this is just giving an invite to criminals. Come to Caldicot, Undy and Magor the lights are off.

"It is putting a sign up in this part of Monmouthshire - there will be no lights after 12pm do what you want."

Sgt Phil Purcell, the Gwent Police neighbourhood sergeant for Caldicot and Chepstow, spoke at the council meeting. He said: "In my personal opinion, I don't like it. Do criminals prefer to be in the light or the dark?

"Can people witness things in the light or the dark? People call us if they see people acting suspiciously - of course they can't see that if it's dark."

The process of fitting remote monitoring gear into the street lights in Caldicot started in June and the council estimate this work will be completed by the end of July.

Lights will not be turned off in areas where there are CCTV cameras, traffic calming measures, pedestrian crossings or other high-risk pedestrian areas.

A Monmouthshire council spokesman, said: "Other town and community councillors in Monmouthshire had similar fears when we turned off lights but with the exception of one ward in Monmouth we have not seen a large increase in crime."

He said all main road and town centre lights will remain on. The council said the decision was taken to change lights in the Chepstow, Monmouth, Abergavenny and Usk areas first and further progress depends on what budget is available.

Caldicot Town Council will be inviting the officer responsible for street lighting at Monmouthshire council to the next town council meeting.