Rhyl should feel safer over the Christmas period thanks to Street Angels who are giving up their free time to spread goodwill among revellers.
The Street Angels are the brainchild of the Denbighshire Community Safety Partnership and will be out on the streets at peak drinking times to give advice to people who may be in trouble or distress, and to hand out goodie bags containing personal safety alarms, condoms and bottles of water to combat dehydration.
Inspector Jonny Hill of North Wales Police said: “They will be a high visibility presence on the streets to show people that someone cares and to help make the town centre feel a safer place to be late at night.”
The 13 Street Angels are drawn primarily from the congregations of local churches in Rhyl and the Salvation Army.
The Angels will wear a uniform of a winter jacket and fleece hat and have been given training in basic first aid and methods to calm down aggressive behaviour. However, they’re not expected to intervene in brawls or other dangerous situations.
Insp Hill added: “They will help the police by contacting us if they see trouble which needs us to deal with it, but their role is one of support and advice. For instance, if they see someone too drunk to use their mobile phone to call for a lift home they will dial for them, or they will take them to the nearest taxi rank.”
Captain Angela Tucker from the Salvation Army said, “Street Angels aim is to help create a safe place for people to enjoy themselves. By their presence they will be a calming influence on those people who will meet them and be a practical support if needed to be. We hope that people will see the Street Angels as a friendly support if they find themselves in difficulty.”
The Angels will be on the streets on 7 key nights in December including New Year’s Eve.
