Street lights could be turned off and parks left unlocked at night under new proposals to save money.

The option of turning street lights off will be discussed tonight at a working group of Barnet Borough Council’s environment committee.

Woodhouse Councillor Alan Schneiderman says members have been briefed that by turning lamp posts in residential streets off from 11pm until dawn, savings of £125,000 could be made.

Leaving parks and open spaces across the borough could also save £85,000 a year. There are currently about 26 parks that are locked at night.

However, Cllr Schneiderman, Labour’s shadow environment spokesman, questioned the proposals.

He said: “I am very concerned that it could lead to more crime, which would leave people feeling less safe. I’m worried it would create a lot of problems. It’s quite dangerous.

“It’s got the potential to cost the council more in the long run than it would save if it leads to more vandalism.

“I think people would be extremely worried to hear about both of these proposals, both of which are likely to make the borough a less safe place to live in.”

A council spokesman said: “The council needs to make further savings of £72 million a year by 2020. As part of this, the Environment Committee has agreed to make savings of £5.9 million savings a year by the end of the decade.

“No decisions have been taken. The cross party working groups are not decision making bodies, they are designed to allow Members to debate and ask questions about potential options before they go to council committees for formal agreement, pending full public consultation.”

The working group will be held in public tonight from 7pm at Hendon Town Hall, in The Burroughs.