They are not a replacement for police officers, PCSOs or special constables and do not intervene with any problems but their calming presence has proved effective in reducing violent crime in Halifax, where the Street Angels project has been pioneered in Calderdale.
Todmorden is the next town it will be extended to and although it has the backing in place from the successful Halifax scheme, local people are needed to volunteer if it is to not only get off the ground but become a permanent presence.
Initially, Halifax's Street Angels will hit the Todmorden streets on May 16, following discussions with Churches Together In Todmorden, Todmorden Together, the Acorn Centre, Todmorden Neighbourhood Policing Team, Calderdale Council's Youth Services and Halifax Street Angels.
And all sections of the community, young and older, will benefit from the sense of security their presence brings, if the response is similar to that parent Halifax scheme.
Louise Castro, of Todmorden Together, whose White Hart Fold town centre premises will act as the initial headquarters for the project, said Street Angels would be run in conjunction with the highly successful Youth Caravan run by Churches Together.
Street Angels would be patrolling the town centre streets from 9 pm to midnight, initially on Friday nights, with the Youth Caravan continuing to run from 7 pm to 9 pm at the medical centre car park Street Angels would take to the streets when the other volunteer-led service finished.
Louise stressed the role of Street Angels will not to be to intervene in situations of conflict but rather offer a safe place - the Todmorden Together offices - for those people who felt vulnerable in any way.
She said that since Street Angels was launched in Halifax in November, 2005, violent crime had been reduced by 42 per cent and volunteers invested a collective total of more than 8,000 hours per year into the town centre.
The YMCA in Halifax insured Street Angels and provided CRB checks and they will be providing this help for the Todmorden scheme too, said Louise.
"In order to make Street Angels work in Todmorden, local people are needed to volunteer. Those interested need to read the Volunteer Handbook and complete an application form and CRB check.
"These are available at www.streetangels.org.uk.todmorden.htm or from the Todmorden Together office, the Acorn Centre and local churches," she said.
Those interested in taking part can find out more about both the Youth Caravan and Street Angels projects at a special meeting at the Todmorden Together premises this Friday, April 4, from 6 pm to 8 pm. More information can also be obtained by telephoning Todmorden Together on 01706 819617.
"People won't just be sent out without training, they will be able to join the team for a night out in Halifax to see how it works before training in Todmorden. You are not expected to be a policeman, intervening in things, that isn't the idea," said Louise.
"It's about providing a high visibility presence that makes people feel safer in the community. It's been proved to work. I have been out with Street Angels and they are so approachable, not threatening.
"Even if you can only offer a couple of hours, that's fine. Whatever time people can spare will be a help."
Louise said they have radio and phone links with police officers patrolling the towns and in addition to volunteers who want to help by patrolling or by helping man the telephone at headquarters they also need help in funding special high visibility jackets and radios.