STOURBRIDGE street pastors will mark six years of patrols around the town centre next month when they stage their AGM and Commissioning Service.

The volunteers are a welcome site for late-night revellers in need of help or a listening ear and the need for more recruits is increasing.

Stourbridge co-ordinator Alison Underwood said: "We used to be able to cover the park on a Friday nigh as well, but we don't have enough people.

"At the moment we have 27 street pastors and each of them does a patrol once a month. You can never have enough.

"There used to be a large police presence in Stourbridge, but they've had to cut that back because they can't afford it, so that presence is much reduced.

"But people often prefer to see the street pastors instead. They are much loved, a bit like your favourite granny, there to help, but not to lecture. We're not there to tell people they can't drink or have a good time."

Anti-social behaviour in Stourbridge dropped 25 per cent after the introduction of street pastors and the number of visitors to Russells Hall casualty department also fell.

Stourbridge town centre remains an entertainment hot-spot as revellers pack the bars and nightclubs every weekend.

The pastors are normally in place between 10pm and 2-30am. Alison Underwood added: "Stourbridge gets very busy, especially around 2am when there are large groups of people going from one pub to another.

"The pastors will attempt to break up fights and keep an eye on people, especially any young girls they see in trouble. The pastors will try to make sure they are OK and get home safely as we've already had a few unpleasant incidents.

"They also provide the girls with flip-flops to make sure they don't cut their feet on any broken glass as some are inclined to take their shoes off if they've been wearing high heels.

"Pastors can also connect straight to the CCTV control room if they are concerned about anything, so that the cameras can zoom in.

"They also have contact with relevant agencies from Child Line to Modern Day Slavery."

The pastors will be meeting at New Road Methodist Church on Thursday September 17 at 7.30pm, for more information email stourbridge@streetpastors.org.uk