ARMED with bottles of water, flip flops and free support and advice, Warrington Street Pastors hope to provide a simple solution to help reduce crime during busy periods in the town centre.

The scheme, which is in operation throughout the UK, was launched in Warrington this week with the backing of the Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire David Briggs, Cheshire Police and Warrington Borough Council.

Street Pastors is a Christian organisation run by volunteers who are simply willing to care, listen and help.

The volunteers normally operate between 10pm and 4am on Fridays and Saturday in town and city centres.

John Britton, chairman of the trustees, said: "The aim of Street Pastors is not to preach and proselytise but to simply show the love of God in a Good Samaritan sort of way.

"For example on finding a young people in distress - quite often through drink or drugs – Street Pastors will give what they can to help.

"This may be by just giving a pair of flip flops to a young woman who has broken the heel of her shoe, a bottle of water, calling parents, getting a taxi, diffusing a delicate situation or if necessary calling the emergency services."

Each volunteer must agree to undergo training which is typically run by the police and the council.

It is hoped Warrington Street Pastors will be up and running by September but volunteers are needed to help get the scheme off the ground.

"Some interesting statistics show that arrests by the police drop by as much as 25 per cent and admissions to A&E departments by up to 20 per cent where the Street Pastors are operating," said Mr Britton, who is a member of the Hill Cliffe Baptist Church in Appleton.

Volunteers must be 18 or over, be committed to the Christian fellowship for more than a year and complete a DBS check.

Street Pastors will be issued with a coat, shirt and cap so they can be identified by members of the public.

To apply to become a Warrington Street Pastor email coordinator@warringtonstreetpastors.org.uk or call 262078.