Church volunteers are set to wander town centre streets handing out chocolate and water to people who have drunk too much.
The Haverhill Town Pastors scheme is going ahead after a donation of £3,000 by the town council to help set it up.
The Town Pastors are a group of volunteers organised by the town’s churches to walk the streets on Friday nights when people have drunk too much and become vulnerable.
The scheme needed £13,000 to set up over two years, to buy jackets, radios, training and supplies of chocolate and water.
They had raised £6,000 and were asking for £3,000 to allow them to go ahead, with an option to come back and ask for another £3,000 in six months.
Captain Andrew Payne, from St Mary’s Church, made a presentation to Haverhill Town Council before the final donation was agreed.
He said the town pastors do not get involved in any violence, but aim to be a presence to stop trouble happening by handing out chocolate or water and trying to keep situations calm.
Mr Payne said after consultation with the police, they had decided to begin their patrols at 9pm and go on into the early hours of the morning.
Town councillor Diana Andre said: “This group of volunteers is offering to reduce anti-social behaviour. For £3,000 we should say that is an absolute bargain. It’s absolutely fantastic.”
The police are in favour of the scheme. Haverhill Safer Neighbourhood Team’s Insp Chris Galley said the only area where Haverhill had seen a slight rise in crime was violence connected with drinking on Friday nights.