“It’s the holiday season, let’s stay together” – that is the message from the Medway Street Pastors.

Adrian Tamblyn-Watts, co-ordinator of the team that helps Rochester’s late-night revellers get home safely, was speaking after teenager Ben Savage went missing in the early hours of Tuesday morning and Aron Baker died on Sunday.

Mr Tamblyn-Watts is also campaigning for the permanent return of the SOS Bus, a haven for those a bit the worse for wear or disorientated in the town.

He said: “In all the revelry it is sometimes possible to be a little absent-minded.

“Let’s face it, we are out with friends and loved ones and we can so often fail to pay attention to those things that really count: Is our group still together? Is anyone missing?

“You would not believe how often we have to deal with individuals separated from their various groups throughout the year, let alone around Christmas.

“The younger the individual concerned is, the more distressing it can be for them.

“Without being paranoid, just realistic, not everyone going out over the next few weekends is doing so with the best of intentions.

“Then there will be those who are planning no ill will, but after a few drinks, or something else, another personality comes to the fore.

“It is only by going out together, staying together and ending the night together that the safety and the well-being of all can be assured.”

John Brice, manager of the Safer Medway Partnership, said: “My advice would be to make sure you have your mobile phone with you and make sure it is fully charged.

“Always let somebody know where you are going, particularly your parents, and stick together with your mates.

“It’s sometimes the case that young people pre-load with drink before going out, which can make the evening more difficult and even more challenging for a licensee to know how much a customer is drinking.”