BORDERS Street Pastors celebrated their first anniversary of patrolling the streets of Galashiels.

The group was set up to help late-night revellers in the region and make the town a safer place.

And more recently, the trained volunteers have also carried out patrols in Hawick.

Duncan Cameron, the group’s co-ordinator, told us: “In total, over the past year, there have been 67 patrols involving over 1000 volunteer hours.

"Street Pastors have assisted numerous people out enjoying the night time economy of the Borders, ranging from assisting young ladies with flip flops (540 pairs) giving out bottled water (300 bottle), woolly hats in the winter (85), anti drink spiking devices (400) and of course, lollypops (nearly 4000).

“In addition, Street Pastors have helped to keep the streets safer by lifting bottles and glasses off the streets (1700) and have on occasions, given minor first aid to a number of revellers.

“As well as the normal Saturday night patrols, teams have assisted at Hogmanay in Melrose, the Melrose and Earlston 7s, Hawick Common Riding and will also be out during the Braw Lads Gathering in Galashiels.”

Mr Cameron also says the group on the lookout for more volunteers to lend a hand on Borders streets.

He added: “Street Pastors continues to evolve in the Borders, and it is hoped to increase the number of patrols in Hawick from monthly to fortnightly in the near future.

“Training for Street Pastors is ongoing, with three Pastors recently attending Response Pastor training in Edinburgh. Response Pastors are on call to ‘Listen, Care and Help’ at a major incident and were deployed at the Croydon tram accident and recent attacks in Manchester and London.

“In addition, Street Pastors are looking to recruit members from the Christian Community to act as ‘Day Pastors’, to assist at events during the day, rather than at night.”

Borders Street Pastors can be contacted at: borders@streetpastors.org.uk