A NIGHT-TIME patrol scheme will begin in Cirencester next month in a bid to make the streets safer.

The Cirencester Street Pastors initiative will officially begin at the end of February in memory of attack victim Tim Jennings.

The scheme, run by Churches Together in Cirencester, will see volunteers patrolling the streets at the weekend to calm down volatile situations.

Tim Jennings, died in July 2009 after an attack outside the parish church in Cirencester Market Place. The 25-year-old had been trying to calm a situation when he was attacked.

Tim's father Mark said he was pleased to see the Street Pastors scheme get off the ground in the hope it would avoid a repeat of the tragedy surrounding Tim's death.

"It is a lifeline for me and my family to see this scheme up and running," he said.

"It is a very positive step taken after a very tragic circumstance."

"I do not feel emotionally ready to take an active role and become a Street Pastor yet but I really want to in the future.

"It still gets harder and harder for us to cope every day, sometimes it still feels like Timbo has gone away on holiday. We cannot save him but it is some comfort to know Cirencester could still be made a better and safer place."

The sixteen Street Pastors were commissioned during a special service at the Cirencester parish church on Sunday.

The volunteers have received months of training to prepare them for its launch next month.

They will patrol the town centre from 10pm until 4am on Friday and Saturday nights to eliminate anti-social and rowdy behaviour.

Cotswold District Council, Gloucestershire Police and Cirencester Town Council have all backed the scheme.

To find out more go to ctinc.org.uk