Street Pastors: who are they and does Okehampton need them?
By WalterShort | Friday, December 11, 2009, 12:29
Over the last few months I've come across a number of references to 'Street Pastors' patrolling late at night in Devon towns, always described as having a very positive influence on late-night behaviour. They operate in Bideford and Tavistock, and a group is being set up in Bude.
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Would you like to see Street pastors on patrol in Okehampton?
So who are they, and what are doing on Devon's streets between 10.00pm and 4.00am?
Street Pastors are members of local churches, maybe leaders or ministers - but many are just people who have a concern for local young people - who after extensive training patrol the streets late at night offering advice and support to late-night revelers, as well as more practical help, such as flip-flops for girls to walk home in! (See Bideford People.) They have no police powers at all - but the police endorse the scheme and are part of the training programme.
The Ascension Trust, who set up and appoint local coordinators to run individual projects, are quick to point out that this is not an excercise in preaching, but a response by churches to the problems found everywhere on Britain's streets.
The results have been remarkable. Crime levels have dropped significantly in towns where the scheme is working, and Street pastors are widely welcomed by the people they set out to help: young clubbers and party-goers homeward bound after a 'heavy' night.
Would you like to see Street Pastors on patrol in Okehampton? Is there a scheme already planned? Tell us here on Okehampton People.
You can find out more about the national project here, and about Bideford Street Pastors here.
Comments
I'd like to see a scheme like this setup in Okehampton as I hardly ever see the community police around anymore but not the one mentioned here.
I'm not a fan of any religious organisation and here is another example.
"this is not an excercise in preaching" that is a straight up lie. The word "Pastor" is written in flourescent letters on their backs, it is clearly a religious group out to shed a false light on an otherwise sinister organisation.
Don't get me wrong, this is a fantastic idea but the religious hidden agenda needs to be cut out entirely. Maybe "Street Samaritan" would be a better term.
By JakeX at 17:34 on 11/03/10
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