Street Pastors are being introduced in Nantwich town centre to help police defuse night-time violence.
The pastors, who wear distinctive blue jackets, are being brought in to offer pastoral care for revellers caught up in problems on busy nights in the town.
Nantwich Police say they welcome their introduction as an alternative for people to talk to while officers are busy dealing with incidents and law enforcement.
Street Pastors have been used in other towns around the region with success, said Sgt Richard Tomlinson, of Nantwich Neighbourhood Policing Unit.
“They are even known to issue flipflops to women who have broken high heels,” he added.
“It’s about pastoral care of people who can get caught up hanging around incidents we are dealing with. Pastors can help prevent situations getting out of hand.
“It is a positive thing for the town, and they have worked well in other towns which have had greater problems at night than Nantwich.”
Rev Peter Chantry, the outgoing Rector of St Mary’s Church, said the Street Pastors scheme is part of wider Christian Council project.
It will see pastors working alongside local officers and other night-time services.
They were first introduced in the UK back in 2003 in London. There are now around 9,000 trained volunteers in 250 teams across the UK.
They already patrol the streets of nearby Middlewich and Chester.
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