RISCA Street Pastors purchased a defibrillator earlier this month thanks to a grant from the Safer Caerphilly Community Safety Partnership.

The dedicated volunteers, drawn from local churches, who patrol the Risca town area between 10pm and 1.30pm every Saturday night, can now operate the lifesaving equipment in the case of emergency.

St John’s Ambulance has provided specialist training for the pastors to use the equipment which will be stored at the 24 hour Texaco garage in Pontymister.

The introduction of the defibrillator is one of the many services offered by the pastors to look after the health and wellbeing of residents and visitors.

They offer a caring, listening, helping presence on the streets as well as providing practical solutions such as offering flip flops to those who are walking around barefoot, bottled water to combat dehydration and lollipops for those who need a sugar rush.

Street pastor Mark Jones said: “I am so pleased we were able to purchase this equipment which will allow the services we provide to continue to grow and improve.

"We have all received specialist training and feel we are fully equipped to respond in the case of an emergency.”

Cabinet member for community and leisure services, councillor Nigel George, said: “Street Pastors continue to dedicate time and effort to making the county a safer place to visit.

"The growing family of dedicated volunteers have had a positive impact in Risca. Working alongside Gwent Police, Safer Caerphilly and partner agencies they have contributed to a noticeable reduction in antisocial behaviour in the past four years.”