A father and son patrolling the streets of Trowbridge to keep women and young girls safe say their busiest time is in the early hours of the morning.

Street wardens Stephen Pink and his son Sean work from 8pm to 4am on Friday and Saturday nights as part of the government’s Safer Streets initiative.

Stephen said: “Our busiest time is between 2am and 3am when people are so drunk they don’t know what is going on.

“When the pubs and clubs close, our role is to help people who have lost their friends or mates somewhere and they are left on their own. When everyone starts kicking out, that’s when it gets worse.

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Wiltshire Times: Trowbridge street wardens Stephen and Sean Pink with Friday night revellers outside the Still Sisters gin distillery in TrowbridgeTrowbridge street wardens Stephen and Sean Pink with Friday night revellers outside the Still Sisters gin distillery in Trowbridge (Image: John Baker)

“When they have been drinking all night and their mates have gone they are not quite aware of where they are. We help them on their way and get them a taxi to take them home.”

Mr Pink, 56, a former Royal Military police officer, and his son, a former Special Constable, now work for Venture Security Ltd in Andover, which already supplies street wardens for Salisbury city centre.

Their role is being funded through a Home Office grant of more than £800,000 given to Wiltshire and Swindon Police and Crime Commissioner, Philip Wilkinson.

Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson said: “Safer public spaces for all our communities – and a safer night-time economy – in Wiltshire is a key priority within my police and crime plan and for Wiltshire Police.

“Our communities tell me they want to feel safer and for crimes, like anti-social behaviour in our public spaces, to be tackled robustly. 

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“Having night-time economy wardens in Trowbridge, as well as Salisbury, is a great step towards tackling violence against women and girls, as these wardens will bolster existing neighbourhood and response policing teams - they are not a replacement for them.  

“Both the Chief Constable and I remain committed to visible, community-based, policing. 

“Our wardens will be a continual presence in the town centre, with a focus on safety and intervention-based patrols, to ensure everyone can enjoy a safer night out but especially so women and girls can feel reassured and safe." 

The street wardens have been specially trained to recognise, step in and de-escalate potentially volatile situations, as well as identifying people, particularly women and girls, who may be vulnerable and in need of help.