A shift worker who has resorted to using a torch since roads were plunged into darkness by council chiefs was stopped by police in the early hours after reports of prowlers.

Gavin Hyland had left his home in Gravesend, to walk to work in the town centre when he was approached by a police van in Woodfield Avenue just after 4am.

Just minutes earlier the 47-year-old had flashed his torch up to his window to wave goodbye to his wife.

He said he hadn’t needed a torch to see his way to work in the darkness before Kent County Council introduced its Safe and Sensible street-lighting initiative which has seen 70,000 of the county’s 120,000 lamps turned off between midnight and 6am.

Without the torch, the personal home shopper said, it was so dark at times he could not see his hand in front of his face.

He believes those responsible for the switch-off should walk the streets themselves and see what residents are facing on a daily basis.

Speaking about the moment he was stopped by police Mr Hyland said: “Whether I was mistaken for a prowler due to the use of my torch, I do not know.

"Whether I was mistaken for a prowler due to the use of my torch, I do not know..." - Gavin Hyland

“I have no grievance with this incident nor any complaints. I am actually pleased the police were there to protect us and watch over us.

"But if KCC wants to know why other serious crimes are not being looked into, maybe they should ask themselves this: ‘Do we, the KCC, pay for more police or pay to have the lights put back on?’.

“Or maybe change the lights that are on all night to efficient energy-saving LEDs rather than the ones that are off all night.”

Mr Hyland was on his way to work at a superstore in the town centre on October 4 when a police van pulled up alongside him.

“I was walking towards Old Road West when the van pulled up beside me very slowly. The officer in the passenger seat asked if I was going to work. He had seen my company name on the back of my jacket.

“I said I was. He explained that there had been reports of prowlers in the area and they were just being vigilant.

"I told them that I used the torch to see my way and that come winter when there may be snow and ice, I would need the torch more.

“The officer understood. I told them that it would make their job easier if the lights were on and the passenger officer agreed. I wished them a good morning and continued on my way.”

Mr Hyland added that he has only had to use a torch since the lights were switched off as part of a county-wide initiative which KCC claim will save almost £1 million annually.

“It is really dark outside and you have no idea what is on the pavement and what you might be walking on or into. Foxes’ mess, dogs’ mess, who knows,” he said.

“When it eventually snows or gets icy, walking without a torch would be insane.

"It is really dark outside and you have no idea what is on the pavement and what you might be walking on or into..." - Gavin Hyland

“I just want to ask KCC, are they prepared to walk along a street in Gravesend without lights or a torch, not knowing what may happen?

“I want KCC to see what it is like when it is really dark outside, so much so you cannot see the hand in front of you.”

A police spokesman said that they were unable to find any reported incidents of prowlers for the area around Woodfield Avenue for this month.

They added that without knowing who the officers were or dates of specific incidents it was “difficult” to find any information.

The Messenger asked KCC whether someone would be prepared to take up Mr Hyland’s challenge and walk the unlit streets of Gravesend in the early hours.

KCC issued a previously-released statement in which it maintained that if there is a negative effect on crime levels or road safety that can be attributed to the absence of street lighting, the decision will be reviewed.

People are being urged to sign the Right to Light petition by November 18. Search online for KCC petitions and select Right to Light.