A group of Good Samaritans, dedicated to looking after Moray revellers, will use their friendly approach to help keep people safe this Christmas.
The Elgin Street Pastors group has maintained a vigil over weekend drinkers in the heart of the town since 2013.
And local police bosses have attributed a decrease in rowdy behaviour during the last three years to the volunteers’ peaceful interventions.
As Elgin’s nightlife kicks into overdrive over the festive period, they will be relied on more than ever to make sure people get home safely.
Group co-ordinator, Sarah Johnson, said: “Christmas is always busy, and we will have a few teams of five out on the more hectic nights.
“Our presence can reduce tensions when things are getting heated, just by smiling and chatting with people.”
Police Constable Alan Milton confirmed the town can host as many as 1,600 revellers on some Saturday evenings – and credited the pastors with keeping people on their best behaviour.
He added: “We have a great relationship with the street pastors, and we appreciate their presence as they have a totally different approach.
“We have batons and handcuffs, whereas they have flip flops and lollipops.
“We have seen a marked decrease in breach of the peace-type offences since they started up.”
People have to be Christian to join the group, which is comprised of members of 20 different churches. But pastor, Sandy Scrimgeour, joked they did not “hit people over the head with bibles”.
He added : “We don’t take on people who are not Christian, but we will help anyone at all.
“We would never go in and try to convert people, we listen to them to find out how we can care for them.
“There is never a time where we would judge them or tell them to stop drinking.
“If people are being rowdy I tell them: ‘we are here to make sure you don’t get lifted’.”
Moray Council convener, Allan Wright, attended a recent commissioning ceremony at Elgin Baptist Church.
Councillor Wright said: “I am sorry that this is needed, but they do a magnificent job.”
