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THEY are a familiar site in towns and cities with binge drinking cultures plagued by night-time violence. But for the first time tonight Street Angels will be patrolling the historic market town capital of East Yorkshire. Religious volunteers armed with radios and flip-flops will be on Beverley's streets from 9pm to 1am. Funded in a joint effort by several of the town's churches, their aim is to make sure people get home safely after a night out and are not caught up in dangerous, alcohol-fuelled situations. Carolyn Bradbury, of Beverley Community Church, which is organising Beverley Street Angels, said: "We've been working with the police and they know about the area we're planning to patrol. "We'll be working in pairs and always have someone on the radio back at base. "Initially, we'll go round making sure people know who we are and what we're there for." The church has an office in Saturday market above Santander bank but it has no place of worship. Services are presently held at Beverley War Memorial Hall. The Street Angels project was initially mooted for Beverley two years ago. But at that time there was no funding available. This time the £2,000 start-up cost was raised by partners such as Toll Gavel Methodist Church and Beverley Minster. The money has been spent on radios and high visibility jackets. Further funding will be needed to provide a supply of bottles of water and pairs of flip-flops. Mrs Bradbury said: "We'll be helping girls who have got sore feet from high heels and giving them flip-flops. The young girls do take their shoes off, we've seen them from our window in Saturday Market. "We'll also be able to give them water if that's what they'd like. "We're not saying that Beverley has a drinking issue but I saw this scheme working in Lincoln and I thought it would work here. "If you go out on an evening you don't appreciate how much you're consuming. You can walk outside, the air hits you and you just think 'golly'." The volunteers will be able to help people find taxis or contact friends or family if they need help. Before heading out for their first night in Beverley, the Angels have been given conflict management training by Humberside Police and alcohol awareness training by the NHS. They have also worked closely with the Safer Communities team at East Riding Council. Last time Street Angels were planned was when the 2010 football World Cup was being held in South Africa. This time it coincides with the Olympics. Police Inspector David Braysmith, lead on licensing, public order and violent crime for the East Riding, held a meeting with the Street Angels team this week. The launch coincides with a summer police campaign relating to alcohol and disorder. Comments are closed.
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