Police boss Lloyd hails Street Angels

Tony Lloyd (right) observes the Angels at work

OLDHAM Street Angels lived up to their reputation when they came to the rescue of Greater Manchester Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Lloyd.

Mr Lloyd joined members of the voluntary group on an early-hours tour of the town centre to learn more about their work.

The scheme, run by Oldham town centre chaplaincy, is backed by Oldham Council and Greater Manchester Police and works closely with St John Ambulance. The Angels operate every Saturday night.

After speaking to members, Mr Lloyd shadowed the Angels as they patrolled the town centre, spoke to doormen, cleaned up broken glass and assisted worse-for-wear clubgoers.

Mr Lloyd said: “Oldham should be very proud of the Street Angels. They don’t get paid for it, the only reward they get is being there for other people.

“They put themselves at enormous inconvenience going out in the early hours of the morning, but they do it because they care. How could you not be impressed?”

He said he would welcome the scheme being rolled out in other town centres across Greater Manchester.

He said: “Having the Street Angels makes people safer.”

Street Angels’ honorary coordinator the Rev Jean Hurlston said: “We were delighted that the commissioner was able to see for himself how the police, council and community are working together.”