Members of the volunteer, crime-fighting Guardian Angels have stepped up patrols on the 16th Street Mall.

The group has increased its presence in Downtown Denver in response to attacks that single out solitary victims on the mall, said Sebastian Metz, the group’s regional director in Denver.

“The recent attacks, we can’t ignore that,” Metz said. “We hope our visible presence will stop some stuff and reassure people was well.”

Denver police said 15 attacks and robberies have been reported downtown between Aug. 1 and Nov. 9, including six on the mall and five on Market Street.

Police investigators suspect that at least one person has been involved in several of the cases. The violent attacks have been carried out by groups of up to eight people.

Denver police said they welcomed the additional assistance from the Guardian Angels.

“We’re pleased to have any citizen or citizen group help us, to be an extra set of eyes and ears,” said Denver Police Department spokesperson John White.

He said police have worked with the Angels in the past with good results.

“They’ve been a good partner,” White said.

Guardian Angels, in their familiar red berets, patrol East Colfax Avenue and the mall regularly on weekends, but volunteers are now out on weeknights, as well.

“It’s important for people to feel safe,” Metz said. “Hopefully, we’ll be a friendly face when there is a need.”

There are currently about 30 Guardian Angels in Denver, Metz said.

The new weeknight patrols, started in the past couple of weeks, havn’t directly stopped an attack or aided police in capturing a suspect, but a potential volunteer member has come forward after encountering Angels on the mall.

“We’ve had a great deal of feedback about it,” Metz said. “The message we want to send is – it’s still a safe place. You can count on Denverites coming to your aid.”

Kieran Nicholson: 303-954-1822 or knicholson@denverpost.com

Staff writer Sara Burnett contributed to this report.