A pensioner who had lead stolen from her shed roof twice in under a week has criticised the decision to switch out Braintree’s street lights.

Thieves first stripped lead cladding from the shed in Stephenson Road, Braintree, overnight between November 29 and 30, before returning to steal the rest a few days later.

It is thought they clambered on top of a post box and up onto a garden wall in neighbouring Orchard Drive to access the roof.

In total, about 16ft of the metal was taken, while some damage was also caused to the wall.

The victim, a 73-year-old woman, who did not wish to be named because of concerns about repercussions, claims Essex County Council’s decision to switch out the town’s street lights at night is having an impact on crime.

An Essex County Council spokesman said: “There is no evidence that part-night lighting affects crime levels, however, if the police identify a significant increase in crime due to the introduction of the scheme we have agreed to revert back to full-night lighting in these areas."