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Street Angels scheme being launched in Whitby
VOLUNTEERS are being asked to sign up to a scheme to help revellers in Whitby at the weekends.
The Street Angels programme is being launched in the town later this year after proving successful in other areas such as Scarborough, Harrogate and Skipton.
In groups of three the Street Angel volunteers patrol the town centre streets on Fridays and Saturdays offering support, help and advice to vulnerable people.
It has been proven in the other areas, and with a similar night marshalls scheme which has run in Whitby before, that the presence of the Street Angels contributes to more ambient atmosphere in town and a reduction in alcohol related violent crime.
The scheme is being co-ordinated by Scarborough’s safer communities partnership in conjunction with Churches Together, North Yorkshire Police and Scarborough Borough Council.
The groups of volunteers have radio and telephone contact with their base and also Scarborough Borough Council’s community safety team, licensing officers, CCTV control room and North Yorkshire Police.
Lesley Philps of Scarborough’s Safer Community Partnership said: “The aim of the Street Angels scheme is to improve the safety of those who use the town centre bars, restaurants and public transport during busy periods.
“Street Angel volunteers will be asked to provide support to people who have become vulnerable or need assistance while in the town centre but will not be required to get involved in any incidents, just report them to the police.”
Full training will be given to volunteers, who have to be over 18, before they take to the streets in June.
For anyone interested in becoming a Street Angel a meeting is being held on Thursday 22 March at 7.30pm at the Flowergate United Reform Church.
If you can’t make the meeting but would like more information contact Deacon Helen Webster on helenweb2@gmail.com or 01947 602248.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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Comments
There are 2 comments to this article
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WhitbyJetSetter
Sunday, March 4, 2012 at 12:17 AMDon't knock 'em, most of these wacky church group members and disappointed police applicants are very dedicated. As volunteers they can confiscate drink off people and arrest them- without even being warranted- if recent court reports are to be believed. They and the Marshalls only cost us £80,000 or so a year, and are no cost to the supermarkets and pubs selling our drunks more booze. Let them have a bit of kudos and a hobby, it devalues our real warranted police but who cares these days.
Catcher in the Rye
Monday, February 27, 2012 at 07:22 AMYes, they give you a police like unitform and fluorescent vest with radio etc and send you out to walk the streets among drunken rowdy revellers, while the paid police sit in their nice and warm vehicles waiting to respond to your 'emergencies'. Uusually when your at the receiving end of drunken abuse. Which begs the question what sort of mad people want to do this? Wearing a uniform doesn't make you an automatic Angel.
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