CHURCH leaders are to take to the streets to help reduce crime in Yeovil.

Street Pastors, wearing blue caps and jackets, will patrol the town centre at weekends, speaking to revellers and vulnerable members of the public.

The idea has been tested in other towns and succeeded in reducing violent crime. The pastors patrol near pubs and clubs on the lookout for disorder and alcohol-related problems so they can defuse potential incidents and help anyone who is worse for drink.

The Yeovil contingent started training last month and plans to be on the streets from the beginning of April.

The idea is being backed by the police, and Yeovil nighttime economy manager PC Dave Buckley said: "We made contact with the Street Pastors in Weston-super-Mare and spent the evening with them on one of their Saturday night shifts in the town centre. This was a very productive visit and showed us how the pastors had become a key part of the community especially at night.

"This visit showed that they would be welcomed and valued in the Yeovil community."

The Christian volunteers will be equipped with radios so they can keep in contact with each other and the CCTV control room.

The Yeovil project was set up by Ascension Trust and Churches together in Yeovil, and will be run by a local co-ordinator with support from local groups, councils and the police.

Mayor of Yeovil Wes Read said: "The Street Pastor initiative has been very successful in other towns up and down the country and has made those districts and neighbourhoods a stronger and safer place to live and work.

"I look forward to the next step in commissioning volunteers and to start their training; I fully support the initiative and look forward to it being rolled out into our community."

Yeovil Pubwatch chairman Steve McCorry said: "This scheme will be accepted greatly by the late-night venues in Yeovil as another part of the community safety initiative to ensure a safe environment for people using Yeovil at night."