CHURCHGOERS who patrol city centre streets to help late-night revellers have given first aid to 20 party-goers during their first month in operation.

The street pastors have also helped 14 others into ambulances, spoken to more than 2,000 people, handed out 128 pairs of flip-flops to those whose shoes are hurting and removed nearly 600 glass bottles.

Chief Superintendent Andy Hough, who is charge of policing in Derby, said the scheme had been a huge success.

"The figures demonstrate the excellent service they are providing to our night-time economy and those who use our bars, clubs and restaurants," he said.

"It also means that, while they are providing that service, we are not having to arrest and criminalise people we ordinarily would not want to.

"It means I have not got my officers tied up in cell blocks instead of out on the streets providing reassurance on patrol. I look forward to continuing to work with them."

Street pastors were launched in February and patrol the city centre on Friday and Saturday evenings between 10pm and 4am. They are there to help people get into taxis, give directions and clear away broken glass.

The teams of volunteers, who patrol Sadler Gate, Friar Gate and Ashbourne Road, also offer first aid and treatment to injured revellers.

Volunteers have handed out flip-flops to women who have gone barefoot because their shoes are hurting and given out silver space blankets to help keep people warm.

On the streets of Derby, one or two teams of four to six pastors will patrol each night, depending on availability.

Alasdair Kay, who co-ordinates the scheme, said the group had enjoyed a successful first month.

He said: "We have spoken to 2,014 people, 250 door staff, helped get 14 people into ambulances and been called upon to give first aid to 20 others. We have also been called to help door staff with drunks.

"We have given out 128 pairs of flip-flops and between us have volunteered 324 hours of our time.

"Interestingly, we have picked up some 598 glass bottles from the streets of Derby, which means they haven't been broken and caused injury to people in the city centre."

A spokesman for East Midlands Ambulance Service said it was positive to see people in the community helping others when they needed support.

He said: "First aid-trained members of the public can help us to do what matters the most – save patients' lives and reduce the risk of their condition worsening while our ambulance crews are on their way to attend to them.

"We have worked with similar street pastor schemes in other areas of the East Midlands to support their good work by providing training in life-saving skills, such as resuscitation.

"Every second counts when someone has a serious illness and simple interventions performed by members of the public can make all the difference."