Cambridge volunteers ready to 'care and listen' to Freshers
Students in the city are preparing for the start of university life
As freshers get ready for student life in Cambridgeshire, a group of volunteers are continuing to help keep them safe.
For around 15 years, Cambridge Street Pastors have been patrolling the streets of the city centre on Saturday nights.
The team of around 30 volunteers are present roughly between 10pm and 3am to offer help and support to those who need it without fear of judgment.
"We've been around in the city for more than 15 years, so the venues accept that," Neat Pellatt, co-ordinator at Cambridge Street Pastors, said.
"(The venues are) happy to call us and say 'we've got somebody laying on the floor outside our venue, could you come and help?' because they're busy dealing with people in the venue."
Figures reported in 2022 by youth news website The Tab and Our Streets Now - a campaign to end public sexual harassment in the UK - found 77% of students have felt unsafe at clubs and bars because of the issue.
'We do what we can to care, listen and to help'
Measures against drink spiking are also being ramped up by Cambridgeshire Police to improve safety for new students going out for Freshers' Week.
Between 2018 and 2024, the force reported more than 350 cases of drink spiking,
In Cambridge, the street pastors team also help run NightLite, a safe space at Downing Place Church where people can chat, relax or receive help after a night out.
Ask for Angela is also operating at bars and venues in the city, where anyone in uncomfortable situations can ask for help from staff without fuss.
"We often find ourselves in a place at the end of the night that we didn't expect to be when we started it," Neat added.
"We do what we can to care, listen and to help them wherever they find themselves.
"We're all trained to say if we see a young lady on her own for example, go and check; there's a lot that happens within Cambridge city centre to help students and maintain safety."