Rhyl 'street angels' offer help to festive revellers

The 13 "street angels" are recruited from local churches and the Salvation Army

A 13-strong team of "street angels" are to give revellers a helping hand to get home safely.

The group, mainly churchgoers and Salvation Army volunteers, will be out at peak times in Rhyl, on seven days over the festive period.

They will hand out goodie bags with personal safety alarms, condoms and bottles of water and try to help people find a taxi home.

Last year, North Wales Police ran a similar scheme in Llandudno.

As in previous schemes, Rhyl's street angels aim to be a "high-visibility presence" offering basic first aid and an early opportunity to calm down aggressive behaviour, although they are not expected to intervene in fights.

Insp Jonny Hill, of North Wales Police, said: "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."

Capt Angela Tucker, of the Salvation Army, said: "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 wear a uniform of a winter jacket and fleece hat. Their seven nights on the streets include New Year's Eve.