A director of one of Weymouth’s largest security firms has donated lifesaving equipment to the town’s Street Pastors.

Every Friday and Saturday night, come rain or shine, the Weymouth Street Pastors are out patrolling the streets from around 9.45pm to 3am, in order to make sure that vulnerable people stay safe.

Due to their ‘brilliant efforts,’ Steve Parker, one of the directors of UDL Security Ltd donated an all-new compact defibrillator to the group which will help to save lives and is able to ‘fit in a backpack.’

Mr Parker said: “We supply security staff to around 80 per cent of venues in the town and whenever we need the Street Pastor’s aid, we give them a shout and they come along.

“They are a brilliant asset to the night-time economy, we know that we can call them if we have to eject someone from a venue or refuse them entry and they will do a welfare check, offer them water and flip flops.”

He said the defibrillator ‘is a really light weight, small and compact bit of kit which is around eight inches by four inches in size,’ adding: "They are very easy to use, and they can put it in their backpacks."

The company director often drives around town to check in on his staff and also carries a first aid kit, emergency equipment and a defib in the car.

Mr Parker added: “We ordered two of these and have paid for a subscription for life so once you’ve used it, you can send it back and get a new one – so essentially you could use it 10 times a year – it’s absolutely brilliant.

“The Street Pastors are hugely respected in the town, and they are such an asset. It’s better for them to have the defibrillator and not need it than not have one at all.”

The Weymouth Street Pastors are also now able to operate from St Mary’s Church as the Safe Space project, funded by Dorset Council, has been reinstated since funding was paused in January.

It is used as a base for the volunteers who provide support for night-time revellers and anyone on the streets on Friday and Saturday nights who might need assistance.