William Sugg & Co. lighting lowers crime rate in Arnot Hill Park

The Green Flag award-winning Arnot Hill Park in Nottingham underwent an extensive transformation to improve safety for the local community. As part of the Safer Streets scheme, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Nottinghamshire secured funding for a number of districts and boroughs in the county, including Gedling Borough. Interventions in the area included cycle store security, park maintenance and development, and new park lighting. The council sought a specialist with expertise in heritage lighting to upgrade the Victorian-style lamps, ensuring the park remained both historically sympathetic and safer for visitors after dark.

In the day, Arnot Hill Park is a celebration of history, art and nature. Curious art trails guide visitors through wood carvings and murals, and the prominent Grade II listed Arnot Hill House overlooks the park’s lake and relaxing ornamental gardens. With no entrance fee, the public park is there for the enjoyment of the local residents and hosts family-friendly events, including the annual Arnold Carnival and Gedling Play Day.

To improve safety in the park at night, William Sugg & Co. was commissioned to supply a total of 36 impressive 30-inch Westminster lanterns, replicating the style of the existing lanterns which were originally supplied by William Sugg & Co. over 20 years before, along with the George IV columns. These lanterns are strategically positioned throughout Arnot Hill Park to achieve comprehensive coverage. The installation encompasses the main entrance road that leads into the car park, all the principal walkway areas weaving through the park, and key locations around the central buildings, which include council offices and leisure facilities. This extensive placement ensures that both key routes and communal spaces are safely lit, creating a welcoming environment for all visitors after dark.

“We’re proud to support local communities in creating beautiful and safer public spaces that everyone can enjoy. Our team are incredibly dedicated to their craft and fostering local pride in the areas where our projects are located. Through our collaboration with the Community Safety Partnership, we were able to boost a cherished green space in the area,” comments Neil Stanton, Managing Director of William Sugg & Co.

The project brief required William Sugg & Co. to respect the park’s heritage whilst introducing the latest sustainable LED technology. In response, the company undertook the replacement of the existing William Sugg & Co. Lanterns and recycled the original copper lanterns, an approach that aligns with Gedling Borough’s commitment to sustainability and the circular economy.

The intervention aimed to improve lighting levels by 25 percent, and to achieve this, William Sugg & Co. provided every new copper lantern with modern LED gear trays. All lanterns were fitted with modern COB (Chip-on-Board) LED area lens technology. This advanced lighting solution allowed light to be lensed and projected in a controlled, circular pattern, focusing illumination downwards onto the park’s paths and open spaces. The result enhanced visibility for park visitors while minimising light pollution in the surrounding environment. The use of copper for the lanterns provides a durable, long-lasting finish that further supports local sustainability goals, ensuring that the lighting solutions will stand the test of time and weather conditions.

The full improvements implemented in Arnot Hill Park, including the installation of heritage-inspired, energy-efficient lighting, enhanced cycle store security and ongoing park maintenance, have delivered tangible benefits for both safety and community wellbeing. These targeted interventions have contributed to a remarkable 57% reduction in house burglaries and a 67 percent drop in vehicle crime in the surrounding area. This successful outcome demonstrates how investment in public realms can create real change for communities. Arnot Hill Park now stands as a strong illustration of how collaborative efforts between local authorities, specialist suppliers, and community partners can create safer, more accessible public spaces that also enhance character and consider the environment.