Calls for better street lighting after attack

The MP for Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes has started a petition to improve street lighting in part of Cleethorpes.

Melanie Onn said she had asked the local authority to provide better lighting around the North Wall area.

It follows a recent alleged rape on Fuller Street bridge.

North East Lincolnshire Council said it could not comment while a "live police investigation" was ongoing.

Onn said many residents had got in touch with her to express their concerns about safety in the area especially regarding the lack of adequate lighting.

She added ensuring well-lit public spaces was a crucial step in making streets safer.

A 15-year-old boy was arrested in February on suspicion of rape and remains on conditional bail.

Onn said: "This horrific incident has understandably caused an immense amount of concern in our community. Many local people have rightly raised concerns about the lighting in the area."

North East Lincolnshire councillor Sophia Farren said she welcomed Onn's petition: "We are over the moon because residents need support."

Farren said along with her fellow councillors and Humberside police she had been looking at lighting and cameras in the area of the alleged attack.

The petition was launched just a few days before a Reclaim these Streets walk which is taking place on 21 March.

The North East Lincolnshire Community Safety Partnership said it organised the walk to raise awareness about violence against women and girls.

Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.