The Street Pastors in Ashby de la Zouch have received a cash boost from the police. The scheme, which was set up in January 2010, has been given £500 from the Counties’ Basic Command Unit (BCU) towards the £4,500 which it costs to ensure the volunteers are trained and insured.
Street Pastors are church members who have a concern for society, in particular young people. Each team is set up by the Ascension Trust and run by a local coordinator with support from local churches and community groups, in partnership with the police, council and other statutory agencies.
There are 250 teams across the country, nine of them in Leicester and Leicestershire. In Ashby, the volunteers walk the streets every Friday night from 10pm and on the first Saturday of every month. They also do extra days as and when the police or local authority ask them to. There are 16 volunteers in total and they work in teams of between three and five.
PC 1667 Mark Arjoo, the local beat officer for Ashby, said; “The Pastors do a really good job in Ashby and help us police the night time economy. They help out in so many ways taking the time to talk to people if they are distressed or to find out where they live and helping to get them home. They give out water, reunite people with their friends and listen to people when they are upset as well as many other things. We really value their support and we’re glad we can help them a little financially to ensure the service continues.” In the last year the Pastors have picked up and thrown away 302 glass bottles and 108 glasses; given out 29 pairs of flip flops to people who are barefoot, given support to 37 vulnerable people, stopped 18 anti-social behaviour incidents and defused an aggressive situation on 24 occasions.
Pastors are linked to the police and the CCTV operators by retail radio.
Chris Lewis, the Chairman of Ashby Street Pastors, said; “This money is very welcome as it goes towards the ongoing costs of providing the right training for our volunteers and covers the insurance we need. We have a great working relationship with the local police and work closely with Mark and his team. As we’ve got to know the police, and other partners in the town, we’ve been able to work together to improve the night time economy and do our best to make sure everyone has a good night. As a Christian I believe you should be out in the community showing God’s love not relying on people to come to church every Sunday. We never talk about our faith unless we are asked but we’re amazed how often people do ask us and that often leads to some really interesting discussions. We like to show our love for God practically. Recently we came across a young woman who was on her own and had had too much to drink. We took the time to talk to her, then rang her mum who came and took her home. It was very satisfying to know we had helped to get her home safely.”
