Some 50 lights on the Phipps Bridge estate, where a father and son were stabbed in near total darkness last month, were broken at the time of the savage attack.

The revelation comes as the Wimbledon Guardian campaigns for urgent improvements to lighting on the estate.

Residents claim gangs gathering in dark stairwells and unlit play areas are making them too afraid to leave their homes, and the Wimbledon Guardian has added its voice to a chorus calling for action.

Merton Council has since repaired a total of 60 lights, but those living on the estate are fighting for further measures to prevent the estate from becoming a haven for antisocial behaviour.

A spate of attacks over a two-month period culminated when Craig Joseph-Webber, 46, was left with life-changing injuries as he was stabbed in the head during the attack on Tuesday, June 15.

His son, a former trainee Royal Marine, Matthew Stevenson-Webber, 24, also required emergency surgeryThe incident sparked community outcry at a public meeting, and then a night-time tour of the estate, identifying the lack of lighting as a key factor in the antisocial behaviour spiralling out of control.

Merton Council’s leader, Councillor Stephen Alambritis, apologised for the number of broken lights, claiming the previous administration, which left office in May, had neglected the area.

He said: “When incidents like this happen the council has to wake up, although the reality is that the council should already be awake.

“We have now repaired more than 50 lights, and as far as improved lighting goes it is something we are looking at.

“This is a good campaign and I’ll see how we can allocate money and resources to where elderly and vulnerable residents’ fears are heightened.”

The council and Merton Priory homes, which has just taken over management of the estate, announced a consultation this week to get residents’ views on potential estate improvements.