Hartlepool street angels are keeping revellers safe

Volunteer Hartlepool Town Pastors (HTP) has reflected on a challenging year in its annual report from 2015 – but is full of faith for the future.

The pastors walk a circuit of 1.75miles, covering mainly Church Street and Victoria Road in Hartlepool town centre.

On a quiet night each HTP team may cover the area up to four times between 11pm and 3am.

In 2015, HTP gave more than 1,600 hours of voluntary service, providing 104 nights of cover and offering help and first aid in 394 separate incidents.

A spokesman said: “We have dealt with a wide range of incidents throughout 2015.

“Our most challenging was back in February where we provided on-scene assistance following a traffic collision in Church Street.

“This led to us assisting police, ambulance staff, casualties and friends and relations of casualties at our Whitby Street base.

“We have provided help and first aid in 394 recorded instances. These included people injured by glass, falls and other injuries, talking to recovering addicts about their battles against addiction, being called by bar staff to provide assistance to people suffering from the effects of alcohol, injury or illness and walking people to places of safety.

“We’ve given out an amazing 14,500 lollipops, 410 pairs of flip-flops and 141 bottles of water. We’ve also cleared up 2,940 broken glasses and bottles.

“We have a really good relationship with the police, door staff and many of the bar owners.”