A NEW scheme is to be set up in Huddersfield to help make the town's streets safer on Friday and Saturday nights.
Plans are under way to set up patrols by Christian people to help anyone who is deemed to be vulnerable or in need.
The people they help may be distressed after an argument or have become separated from friends and feel isolated and alone.
The volunteers will stay with them until a relative or friend picks them up.
They will be out and about from 9pm to 3am on Friday and Saturday nights.
They will wear distinctive jackets so Huddersfield town centre CCTV operators will be able to spot them and also be on the town centre radio system so club and pub doorstaff can call on them.
The scheme - yet to be named - will be similar to one in Calderdale called Street Angels and others in big cities such as London and Manchester called Street Pastors.
But volunteers are needed to make it happen and an appeal has now gone out to churches throughout Huddersfield for people to come forward.
Churches involved so far include the New Testament Church Of God and Huddersfield Methodist Mission - which are both in Huddersfield town centre - along with Elim Church at Springwood.
The Rev Paul Thomas, senior pastor at the New Testament Church Of God, said: "Our role will be a caring, sympathetic and supportive one."
Each patrol will have three people - a mix of men and women - and its base will be the cafe attached to Huddersfield Methodist Mission on Lord Street in Huddersfield town centre.
They will have training on people skills before they go out and about.
A meeting was held at Huddersfield Methodist Mission where people interested in helping heard talks by volunteers from the Calderdale project.
They included two of the angels along with Chief Insp Vince Firth from Calderdale Police and Andrew Sloman, Night Life Co-ordinator for Calderdale Council.
Anyone interested in finding out more about the scheme can contact Kirklees community safety officer Helen Simpson on 01484 226931 or email helen.simpson@kirklees.gov.uk
