Edinburgh's new LED street lights causing alarming problems for home security systems

The lights have been installed across the city over the last few years

New street lights are being fitted across Edinburgh

Fears over the potential security risk of new LED street lights have been raised after it emerged there have been more than 40 complaints about the new lights interfering with home alarm systems.

Edinburgh City Council is undergoing a major roll-out of the new lights across parts of the city which began in October 2018 and is due to be completed in May 2021.

The council says that the lights are cheaper to run, are better for the environment and give off a clearer light.

However, opposition councillors have raised concerns over reported disruption caused by the new lights with home alarm systems.

Figures from the council state there have been more than 200 complaints about the new lights, with 43, just under a quarter, linked to security systems.

Conservative group chairman Jason Rust said that the council must provide “proper answers” to those concerned about the new lights affecting the security of their homes.

He said: "A number of residents have been in touch regarding conflict between their home safety systems and the council's new street lighting.

“I have asked whether disruption to household systems was specifically investigated and the knowledge acquired taken into account and assessment made prior to award of the contract.

“Proper checks could ideally have saved residents a lot of time and inconvenience and more particularly expenditure. Burglars could have been having a great time when security lighting and intruder alarms were out of action across the city.

“The Council needs to have proper answers for residents concerned about the technological conflict. It is ironic that new lighting is perceived to be reducing householder safety."

It is understood that during the council’s tender assessment for the new central management system for the street lights, direct impact or disruption to residents beyond the physical installation was not examined.

However, the system is understood to have been specified to work within the free-to-air network and any faults have been reported to the new provider.

Cllr Lesley Macinnes, the transport and environment convener said: “I can assure residents that our street lighting central management system (CMS) operates within permitted free-to-air bandwidths, and in accordance with the rules of doing so.

“Home alarm system interference was not raised as an issue during our research and visits to other cities and our CMS does not transmit on the frequency range that is dedicated to alarms.

!However, we of course take the concerns raised seriously and our CMS system provider is working with local alarm companies to investigate the root cause of any reported alarm event.”