The swaying loudmouth staggers in and out of the gutter, slurring his words and shouting obscenities at anyone who dares to catch his glassy stare.

He is a walking danger zone fuelled by too much drink and a menace to everyone he meets.

Wrexham at night is a particular hotspot for drunken violence but a new campaign is already having a calming effect on the troublemakers.

"Call time on violent crime" is a new project launched by the Wrexham Community Safety Partnership to run over the festive season. The aim of the campaign is to reduce levels of violent and alcohol-related crime in the town centre using a number of schemes.

One of those schemes is increasing the number of street pastors on hand in the town centre and the times they will be there to offer practical advice and help to those individuals who may be a little worse for wear as they try to find their way home safely.

The organisation Street Pastors started in London in January, 2003 and it has apparently seen some remarkable results, including drops in crime in areas where teams have been working. It aims to respond to urban problems by engaging with people on the streets, to care and listen, and work in partnership with police, councils and other statutory agencies.

Wrexham Street Pastors local co-ordinator Gareth Jones, who has been involved with the street pastors scheme since the planning stages in 2005, said he and other street pastors have been out and about on the streets since April last year and plan to continue long into the future. He explains the street pastors are all volunteers from the local churches in Wrexham.

Mr Jones said the pastors come from all walks of life – lollipop men, doctors, some missionaries from Youth With a Mission and housewives.

They come from various sections of society and there is a good cross-section of ages, backgrounds and professions.

"They are all giving up their time and energy to be involved, to be a presence on the streets, to care and to listen and to offer practical help. For us, it's about putting the good news of Jesus into action,"
he said.

"It's the whole team that makes the difference," Mr Jones explained. "I am always impressed by their commitment and dedication – that time and time again they go above and beyond the call of duty in volunteering for extra shifts. They are fantastic."

The team is made up of 18 pastors ranging from people in their early 20s through to the older people who are in their 70s and tends to be a 50/50 mix of men and women and ages. "It is the over-50s that tend to generate the main respect – the father and mother figures," he said.

Enthusiastically, Mr Jones said the street pastors are bearers of good news and bringers of hope to our streets.

"If we can help out with anything bothering people, we will do our best to help them." Mr Jones wants to spread the word that if people need any assistance in the town centre or advice or are not sure about anything, they can feel free to approach the street pastors. They can be easily spotted with their distinctive dark blue uniforms with "street pastor" logos on the front and back of the jackets.

Throughout the year, a team of four pastors hit the streets of Wrexham town centre on Friday nights at 10.30pm and stay out until the town centre quietens down, which can be anywhere between 2.30am to 4.30am.

As part of the Christmas and New Year campaign. On New Year's eve there will be a team of six pastors out and about.

Mr Jones said the "Call time on violent crime" Christmas campaign is to raise awareness for people to act responsibly and think of safety for themselves and other people over the Christmas and New Year
period. "It's initiated by Wrexham Community Safety Partnership and as one of their partners we are happy to be involved," he said.

Malcolm Russell, chairman of the Community Safety Partnership, said the campaign works closely with licensees, the police, ambulance service and many other agencies so people can look forward to Christmas with the confidence of knowing that Wrexham is a safe place to go and enjoy a night out with friends and relatives.

Town centre Inspector Chris Beasley said: "We would encourage people to drink responsibly and be mindful of the fact that there are consequences to anti-social and violent behaviour. Our message is a very clear and serious message; anyone behaving irresponsibly or violently will be dealt with quickly and efficiently. Violence will not be tolerated in Wrexham."

Other initiatives in the campaign include licensees and takeaway staff displaying posters in their premises and encouraging staff to wear the "Call time on Violent Crime – Be Safe, Drink Responsibly" t-shirts.

The dangers of having drinks "spiked" will also be highlighted with "Spike" hedgehogs being promoted among young people and bottle stops being made available to customers.

The ambulance service will be making the "Rapid Response Vehicle" available over the New Year period and two paramedics will be available to provide roadside treatment and assessment for minor injuries within the town. Plans are also in place to have one paramedic officer located at the custody suite at Wrexham Police Station to provide medical advice and assistance.

With the celebrations upon us, Mr Jones' message to people planning to party is this: "It's a great time of year to celebrate and there will obviously be lots of partying and getting into the spirit. That's great, please have a great time, drink responsibly, be safe and think about other people's safety."

And while you're all warm and snuggled up in bed in the early hours, spare a thought for the selfless volunteers who are braving icy conditions, watching out for our family and friends.

For more information about street pastors or for help on Friday nights, call the street pastors on 07706 366543 or visit the website at www.streetpastors.org.uk