Street Angels help Whitby's night revellers

The council said Whitby did not have a "huge problem" with anti-social behaviour

Volunteers have been patrolling the streets of a North Yorkshire town to help people who have become vulnerable during nights out.

The Street Angels scheme, a partnership between Churches Together, North Yorkshire Police and Scarborough council, started on Friday in Whitby.

Twelve volunteers have been trained in conflict management, first aid and drugs and alcohol awareness.

The council said Street Angels schemes had reduced crime in other areas.

The volunteers hand out water and support people to taxis, pick up discarded bottles that could be used as weapons and give out flip-flops to people found walking in bare feet.

They also call the emergency services where appropriate.

Lesley Philps, Scarborough Borough Council's community safety officer, said: "Whitby does not have a huge problem with anti-social behaviour, but like other towns and cities in the country there are issues, particularly on a Friday and Saturday night when people have drunk too much.

"In Scarborough where the Street Angels have been established for some time now, they have made a really positive difference to the night-time economy and I'm confident they will make a noticeable difference to people's wellbeing in Whitby, too."