The Street Angels initiative which is set to start work in Bradford has apparently been a great success in Halifax. Since the teams of volunteers began patrolling the streets between 9pm and 3am, violent crime in the town is reported to have been reduced by 42 per cent. Halifax is now said to be a much safer place for local people to go for a night out.

That is just what Bradford needs. Although various initiatives by the police and owners of licensed premises have made the city centre less troublesome than it used to be some years ago, there is still room for improvement. People from all generations need to be able to feel that they can safely venture into town in an evening. Families need to be reassured that their teenage sons and daughters will have someone to keep an eye on them if they need help after an indulgent night out at the clubs.

On the strength of their record in Halifax, the Street Angels are able to do a lot to achieve that. As well as looking out for "revellers" who need assistance and working alongside St John Ambulance and trained security professionals known as Nightlife Marshals (whose job is to defuse potentially violent situations), in their yellow jackets they give the impression of an increase in the uniformed presence on the streets.

With two years in Halifax under its belt, the Street Angels organisation can reasonably claim to have proved itself. We look forward to seeing it have a similar impact in Bradford.