Rare bats seem to be everywhere

Bats block towpath lighting after robberies - Islington Tribune

This story scarcely needs comment:

Vital lighting which could have helped prevent a series of knifepoint robberies on Regent’s Canal towpath cannot be installed because of fears it would disturb rare bats, the Tribune has learned.

Police are warning residents not to walk along the canal at night following an increase in robberies near the Packington estate in Islington.

... Neither Islington Council nor British Waterways (BW) can agree on whose responsibility it is to pay for increased security measures, including lighting. And, the Tribune has been told, even if the funding was there, improved lighting could upset the bats who thrive around the towpath.

Story after story keeps popping up about this subject.  I mean, rare bats, not common thugs.  You can hardly move these days without disturbing 'rare bats'.  Can you see the irony?

Comments

[Fiona]

In the summer do you get cricket bats along there?

[Sarah]

Looks to me like the bats are just being used as an excuse by people who don't want to spend money. I bet if you'd checked with the bat preservation society or somesuch they'd have told you it was a load of nonsense.

[The Owl Wood]

I'm thinking maybe a quick and tasty - forgive me - Batatouille...

[Andrew Denny]

Running Duck, I'd never heard of Gino D'Acampo until you mentioned him just now. I quickly googled & now I'm a bit better informed. Will he cook anything?

[The Owl Wood]

I have room for at least one more bat in my belfry, if that would help.

Is there any truth in the rumour that Gino D'Acampo has been engaged by the local council on a consultancy basis to sort out the problem?

[Halfie]

Ooh, Capot, take care: you'll be stirring up a hornets' nest!

[Capot Ahab]

What is so special about bats anyway? Protect swans - yes. Save the whale - yes. Protect the bats? - nuke them for all I care!

[Bill Rodgers]

Decisions concerning rare bats are being handled by dingbats!

[Roger]

Well of course, "thats the way it goes..."

(lyrics from the local song Pop goes the Weasel)

The lighting in the area has got enormously brighter and brighter over the years by numerous new property developments adjacent to the canal (I lived almost next to Sheperdess Walk bridge for 20 years!) so its completely naff to say that extra lighting would make any difference to the bats