Much has been mentioned of late about Street Pastors. This movement which started in Jamaica and came to England first in Brixton, London has grown very rapidly and some local people have linked up with the schemes in Taunton and Wellington. The latter claims the distinction of being the smallest town in England to have its own Street Pastor team. But what do they do?
A Night out in town in Chelmsford.
11pm. 800 under 18s pour out from one of the clubs from a special event. Most go off in taxi's or are collected by parents. However two 14 year old girls are in distress, and have spent their taxi fare and cannot contact their parents. The team leader organises a taxi to take them home.
11.45pm. A first chat with someone who appears to be in trouble, and a first request for flip-flops from one foot sore young lady.
12.00 midnight. Our first drunken young lady staggers unsteadily by, led a not very happy looking boyfriend. We radio back to the prayer team.
12.25am. One young man appears slightly worse for wear. His friends tell us he has just split up with his girl friend. They persuade him to have some of our proffered water. They thank us but suggest we must be mad being out at this time of night, and helping people without being paid.
1.20am. Back on the patch after tea and toast. Those going home appear to be mainly in couples. More water is handed out.
2am By now many of the girls are walking around barefoot and we can warn them of where there are patches of broken glass. During the evening we have picked up and safely disposed of discarded bottles and finish up with 29. The "record" is 129!
3.30am. Back to the last club left open. The doorman tells us that there are only 115 left inside and all is quiet. The kebab shop next door, often a flash point is also quiet. The decision is made to return to base and feed back to the prayer team.
Thus ended a night and there is a fondness for the team from the club-goers, even if some of them think that it's a somewhat eccentric exercise. This team has been going for about a year now, and it's also obvious that the team relies very much on the support of the Prayer Pastors back at the base.
Like all Street Pastor schemes it is supported by a number of churches in the area. What is also clear is the fact that it is seen as the church in action. The willingness of the members to be out on the street helping people when most would be rather be in bed, earns respect from the clubbers, and the praise of police and local authority.
What is also clear is that it has a dramatic effect in some areas in reducing anti-social behaviour and even crime. It is the church rolling up its sleeves and getting out to help society!
All teams are happy for observers to join then. See www.streetpastors.co.uk for more information.
Hemyock - A Village on the Blackdown Hills
http://hemyock.org/article.php/20091228205101772