On the Streets in Taunton
12 August 2008
This article comes form the Taunton parishes’ magazine.
Street Pastors is an inter-denominational Church response to urban problems, engaging with people on the streets to care, listen and dialogue.
It was pioneered in London in January 2003 by Reverend Les Isaac, Director of the Ascension Trust. Over 70 towns and cities across the UK have subsequently introduced street pastor projects. Crime levels have reduced, often dramatically and, remarkably, in five years of operation, no street pastor has been injured.
Each town project is run by a local core group with support from Ascension Trust, local churches and community groups, in partnership with Police, Council and other statutory agencies.
Leader of the Taunton Street Pastors project, Adrian Prior-Sankey, said, “So often the church is guilty of commentating but not getting up out of the pews to be part of the solution to society’s problems. Through this initiative we aim to make a real difference for the benefit of all who use our town centre late at night.”
Doug Lowe of St Teresa’s parish in Taunton told cliftondiocese.com, “Street pastors are a wonderful to have in any town centre at night as they are non-confrontational and willing to just chat and help anyone.”
To be a street pastor you need to be over 18 (there is no upper age limit), an active church member and able to commit to a 10 week training programme. A Criminal Records Bureau check is required and references obtained from two people, one of whom must be a church leader.
Each street pastor team consists of at least six people, each of whom will work a minimum of one night a month, usually on Saturdays from 10.00 pm to around 4.00 am. A distinctive uniform is worn when on patrol and radio communication is maintained with the town centre’s CCTV control centre, Police and licensed premises’ door staff.
Street pastors costs are funded by the individuals themselves, local churches and grants from charities and local authorities. The next training programme starts on 27 September. For further details from Kay Buriani, Taunton Street Pastors Coordinator on 07773 038622.
This article comes form the Taunton parishes’ magazine.
Street Pastors is an inter-denominational Church response to urban problems, engaging with people on the streets to care, listen and dialogue.
It was pioneered in London in January 2003 by Reverend Les Isaac, Director of the Ascension Trust. Over 70 towns and cities across the UK have subsequently introduced street pastor projects. Crime levels have reduced, often dramatically and, remarkably, in five years of operation, no street pastor has been injured.
Each town project is run by a local core group with support from Ascension Trust, local churches and community groups, in partnership with Police, Council and other statutory agencies.
Leader of the Taunton Street Pastors project, Adrian Prior-Sankey, said, “So often the church is guilty of commentating but not getting up out of the pews to be part of the solution to society’s problems. Through this initiative we aim to make a real difference for the benefit of all who use our town centre late at night.”
Doug Lowe of St Teresa’s parish in Taunton told cliftondiocese.com, “Street pastors are a wonderful to have in any town centre at night as they are non-confrontational and willing to just chat and help anyone.”
To be a street pastor you need to be over 18 (there is no upper age limit), an active church member and able to commit to a 10 week training programme. A Criminal Records Bureau check is required and references obtained from two people, one of whom must be a church leader.
Each street pastor team consists of at least six people, each of whom will work a minimum of one night a month, usually on Saturdays from 10.00 pm to around 4.00 am. A distinctive uniform is worn when on patrol and radio communication is maintained with the town centre’s CCTV control centre, Police and licensed premises’ door staff.
Street pastors costs are funded by the individuals themselves, local churches and grants from charities and local authorities. The next training programme starts on 27 September. For further details from Kay Buriani, Taunton Street Pastors Coordinator on 07773 038622.
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