Night patrol ‘Street Angels’ on streets of Llandudno at Christmas

Dec 11 2008 by Judith Phillips, North Wales Weekly News

Street Angels

LLANDUDNO should feel safer over the Christmas period thanks to 12 Street Angels who are giving up their free time to spread goodwill among revellers.

The Street Angels are the brainchild of the Conwy 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.

Sgt 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 12 Street Angels are drawn primarily from the congregations of three local churches, St David’s in Craig-y-Don, and St John’s and United Reformed in Llandudno. Rev Nick Sissons, minister at St David’s and St John’s, believes it’s a worthwhile initiative.

He said: “It is an expression, in a practical way, of what Christians believe is important – caring for the community. What this scheme says is that if you’re drunk and in trouble on the streets there’s someone around who cares about you and will offer help and support.”

“Often people are a danger to themselves if not to others, and this is where we can help.”

The Angels will wear a uniform of a bomber jacket and beanie 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.

Sgt Hill said: “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.”

The Angels will be on the streets on December 19 and 20, Christmas Eve, Boxing Day, December 27 and New Year’s Eve.

“Most of us are tucked up safely in bed late on a Friday and Saturday evening but instead we’ll be out on the streets. I think it will show us another side of life we don’t normally experience,” added Mr Sissons.

judith.phillips