Vertical Markets

Street Pastor stories

by msecadm4921

One year on from launch of the scheme, Street Pastors recently met to share their stories with Chesterfield’s Community Safety Partnership. Around the country, Street Pastors deal with people who are drunk and protect vulnerable people.  The Derbyshire town’s police point to 24 fewer victims of violence in the town centre since the scheme became operational.  Significantly over the Christmas period, violent crime in the town centre declined by half.

 

 

Community Safety Officer, Joe Tomlinson said: “The Street Pastors have been magnificent; these incredible volunteers have demonstrated that the Church has a huge part to play in the reduction of crime, anti-social behaviour and peoples’ fear of crime. They have also demonstrated that a common sense, early intervention by people who unconditionally care for others’ adds a dimension to partnership work that had been missing before. The people involved in the scheme really are special individuals who should be praised at the highest level.  They are making a real difference to the social standard of living in Chesterfield.”

 

There are 21 Street Pastors in Chesterfield and they patrol in teams, normally on duty on one Saturday each month.  They have a further group of trainees lined up to take on the vital role.

 

Some comments received over the past year include:

“Street Pastors we love you” – shouted to them

 “You bring a calming influence on the street” – local Police Inspector.

“‘She is safe now the Street Pastors are looking after her” – comment by man to his girlfriend who had both been trying to assist a drunken woman.

“You are a great help to us” – taxi operator.

“You are part of our team and we know we can rely on you to look after people who are drunk” – door staff member at night club.

 

Joe adds: “Street Pastors have shown us a different model to partnership working that excites us for the future.  We are currently talking to the church about an exciting youth based project aimed at providing activities and social places for young people to gather in an attempt to re-engage our communities, and to demonstrate what good citizenship is all about.” The Street Pastors held their first Annual General Meeting at Grace Chapel, Chesterfield.

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