A husband and wife have volunteered to become 'guardian angels', offering protection to victims of street crime.

Geoff and Carol Dawes will be trained to look after frightened victims as part of a new Safe Shops initiative in Kemp Town, Brighton.

People intimidated by beggars, street drinkers and muggers will be encouraged to take shelter in shops in St James's Street.

Traders will be given posters to display, indicating their shops can be used as refuges.

Mrs Dawes, co-owner of The What Not Shop in St James's Street, was motivated by the sight of rowdy drinkers threatening young mothers.

She said: "The other day I saw a couple of drinkers confront a woman with a pram.

"They were leaning and breathing all over the baby and the woman didn't know what to do.

"I've had quite a few beggars approach me aggressively when I've been walking on my own. They can be intimidating.

"Hopefully people will feel more comfortable popping into shops without feeling they have to buy something. They can ask to come in for a few minutes or if it's more serious we can phone for help."

Earlier this year a distressed woman with mental health problems called into the shop needing assistance.

Mrs Dawes said: "She didn't have a clue where she was and didn't know her mum's phone number. I sat her down and gave her a drink but didn't know where to turn.

"I ended up calling the police to help her, because I didn't know who to contact. Hopefully the training will explain the best people to refer to for help."

The St James's Street Action Group has been given £2,500 by the Scarman Trust for the Safe Shops scheme.

Training courses will start in the autumn.

Kemp Town traders are also being offered a cut-price deal to join the city's Retail Crime Initiative (RCI), which provides radio link-ups to report problems.

Organisers hope to build on the success of last month's prosecution of teenage tearaway Joshua Haggart.

Haggart, 17, was banned from 100 shops in Brighton after bullying and attacking traders in a 12-month reign of terror.

Joining the RCI normally costs a £35 membership fee, £50 a year plus £5 per week for the radios.

But to encourage new members from St James's Street, the RCI is offering to pay the first 13 weeks of radio use.

The St James's Street Action Group will pay each firm's £50 fee for the first year, leaving the £35 enrolment charge.

For details about the RCI, contact Terry Davies on 01273 733393.