STUDENT volunteers have helped deal with serious incidents around York, as they aim to help make the city safer.

NightSafe was launched last month by the University of York Student Union, following the death of three young people in the city’s rivers.

Trained volunteers patrol the city on busy nights, helping drunk or vulnerable people.

Bhavin Patel, NightSafe student coordinator, praised the support of police, door staff, Streamline Taxis and the Ambulance Service and said: “I’ve been incredibly impressed with the attitude, commitment and determination of our volunteers, who have given the service the best possible start and a solid foundation to build on.”

So far, their incidents include:

  •  A woman at Kings Staith who said she intended to jump into the River Ouse and end her life. One volunteer kept the woman talking, while another used his radio to contact the police, who secured appropriate help for her.
     
  •  They noticed a severely intoxicated man getting into a car at Queens Staith and alerted police, resulting in a drink-driver being apprehended
     
  •  When 450 students had to evacuate a nightclub after a fire alarm, NightSafe volunteers helped door staff
     
  •  Through the Homesafe Taxi scheme YUSU ran with Streamline, volunteers were able to get more than 70 people who would have been refused entry to normal taxis home
     
  •  Volunteers have been called after three fights to provide first aid
     
  •  The team helped a very drunk visitor work out where he was staying and got him safely back to his hostel
     
  •  They assisted with emotional support after a sexual assault in a club

The team has also helped people to get safely to buses and taxis, given out anti-drink-spiking equipment, more than 200 bottles of water and 50 pairs of flip flops, used over 80 foil blankets and issued more than 100 sick bags.

Jemima Busby, YUSU welfare and community officer, said: “Our volunteers are really enjoying the scheme and feeling very valued and respected by our students. We are really thankful for all their hard work and hope that this will increase through the year as they become more established.”