Clerkenwell suffered a blackout last Wednesday when a power cut left homes, streets and businesses without electricity for up to eight hours.
The outage hit Clerkenwell Green at around 3pm, before extending to Woodbridge Street and other surrounding roads through the evening, including Haywards Place and Sekforde Street.
Although some enjoyed the shorter working day, the darkness made life hazardous for residents at home, who had to rely on candlelight, and endangered those out on the street.
One woman, who was going shopping when the blackout hit Woodbridge Street, said that she felt “scared and vulnerable” when walking home.
“It was only 7pm, but it gets darker much earlier this time of year, so without the streetlights it was really very difficult.
“I keep reading about the increased robberies and violent crime over the past few months and so I felt I could be a target. It wasn’t nice at all, I didn’t feel safe,” she added.
Clerkenwell currently suffers the highest crime rate of any Islington ward. Earlier this week, two teenage boys – 15 and 16 years old – appeared in court in connection with a string of robberies in the area.
Fortunately, normal electricity resumed by 11pm on Wednesday night.
A spokesperson for Islington Council said electricity supplier EDF Energy were responsible for the technical problems. EDF Energy was unavailable for comment.
This is not the first time Clerkenwell has experienced power shortages. In 2009, Christmas business for Smithfield restaurants was thrown into disarray because of power cuts over the festive period.
