Crime hotspots across the borough are getting new street lights put up to help deter burglars, improve CCTV quality and reduce fear as the dark nights settle in.

Hounslow Highways has fast-tracked the installation of LED lights in the 60 worst-affected areas in a bid to tackle the borough's fight against anti-social behaviour and crime.

Working in partnership with the local police, 20 locations with the highest rate of burglaries have been identified and around two thirds of lamps have already been set up.

A total of 1,706 lamps make up the 60 locations, 1,060 of which have already been completed. This includes two streets in Chiswick, seven in Feltham and five in Hounslow.

A further 327 street lights have been brought forward from 2014 as part of the initiative. The remaining 319 street lights are yet to be designed and the design, which can take up to four weeks per scheme, has been brought forward to allow installation to happen in early 2014.

Hounslow Highways service director Rob Gillespie said: “The new LED street lights provide a clearer more even light and have been proven in UK studies to improve crime detection through better facial recognition and improved visual clarity of colours. They also contribute to an important reduction in the fear of crime."

Councillor Ed Mayne, cabinet member for community safety and regulator services, added: “This is great news and excellent timing. With the dark nights about to descend upon us, good street lighting is a crucial part of our fight to beat burglars in Hounslow.”

Chief inspector for Hounslow Police Rob Weir said: “Hounslow Police are stepping up burglary patrols as there is a seasonal increase in burglaries at this time of the year closely linked to the darker nights.

“Improved lighting is a deterrent to burglars, improves the quality of CCTV footage police can obtain to arrest burglars and will hopefully make residents feel safe and secure in their homes.”

So far this year there has been a nine per cent reduction, or 134 fewer victims, in residential burglaries, compared to last year.