I WAS amazed to read the figure spent by Witney Town Council over the last five years to tackle the town’s problems with vandalism (Oxford Mail, June 24).

It is such a shame that the rest of the community is paying for damage and disruption that a very small percentage of individuals are causing.

What a waste, especially when that money (£40,000) could have been put to good use on other benefits for the town and its residents.

However, this may be a case of the pot calling the kettle black.

I remember late last summer asking the town council if the street-lighting on the side of the Corn Exchange in Witney’s Market Square could be switched off during the day as it is usually on for 24 hours. I thought that this would be a great start for the council in reducing its CO2 emissions and saving taxpayers’ money as a result.

Nothing, however, seemed to happen and the lights were left on all day and all night.

When it came to the Christmas slights switch-on in early winter I bumped into Witney Town Mayor, James Mills, who assured me that the issue was being resolved. Yet again, nothing happened.

I walked past last week at lunch time and the lights were still on.

Please Witney Town Council, spend our hard earned money wisely and stop wasting it illuminating this alley during the day with these powerful lights.

Richard MacKenzie, Manor Road, Witney