They have the support of the police, churches of many faiths, and now even housebuilders are keen to help curb community blight.

Persimmon Homes has donated £300 to help the volunteer Gravesham Street Pastors group.

They walk the town’s streets helping distressed people, often the worse for wear due to drink.

Tom Wright, Persimmon’s managing director, said: “We are so pleased to hand over this donation. It is clear just how important this group of volunteers is to the night-time economy and the local community, and it seemed fitting we did what we could to support them.”

Gravesend Churches Together launched the street pastors initiative back in 2009. It takes about 12 weeks to train a street pastor, a course which covers drug and alcohol abuse and youth culture.

Members of the 47-strong group patrol the town’s streets from 10pm to 4am every Friday and Saturday in teams of four.

As financial support continues, the pastors have now increased to have nine teams.

They have been credited with changing the sometimes aggressive atmosphere in streets, intervening calmly in disputes to prevent violence. Pastors carry first aid kits and even hand out flip-flops to young women too drunk to walk in their high heels.

The change of footwear prevents them from walking bare-footed, exposing their soles to broken glass caused by late-night revellers’ broken bottles.

A group spokesman said: “We believe that our presence contributes to help other organisations by successfully preventing situations from becoming violent. Simple acts make a profound effect on our community. We provide friendly and encouraging advice.

“We always have time to listen and help.”