A PETITION for a street light in a darkened alleyway has received the support of Halstead Town Council.

Nearly 350 residents have now backed a campaign calling for safety improvements near a Coop which was raided twice in the space of weeks earlier this year.

The petition, launched almost a month ago, is calling for a street light to be installed in the alleyway leading from Manors Green to Holmes Road.

At a full town council meeting last Monday, Halstead’s councillors voted to support the petition in order for it to advance to Essex County Council’s Highways department.

The initial agenda recommended the council note the report, but councillor Jackie Pell urged the full council to give the petition their support in order for the petition to be moved on, and avoid risk of any stagnation.

The Abels Road Co-op was victim to two armed robberies within six weeks of each other, and residents have an increased sense of danger when using the alleyway.

Residents also claim the area is rife with drug dealing.

The resident who started the petition has asked to stay anonymous.

But she said she was pleased to have the town council’s backing.

She said: “It is lovely they have given the petition their support.

“I am due to go to the town council on Friday and hand over the petitions and talk about our next step.

“People are still signing and the number of signatures is going up daily.

“A lot of people have been saying for a long time that there should be lighting down there, but noone has really done everything.

“Now the petition has been started everyone has been very quick to sign and show their support.

“I cannot thank the council enough for their support, it is fantastic that they listen to the people of Halstead.”