Shrewsbury Street Pastors celebrate first year on the streets

It is a year since Shrewsbury Street Pastors first patrolled the town, and over 100 people turned out to a recent service to celebrate the first anniversary.

Shrewsbury Street Pastors are a registered charity, and partners of Shropshire Council.

There was quite a lot to celebrate and it was good to hear from the street pastors and members of the local community about how well the project has been going.  Daniel Kawczynski, MP for Shrewsbury and Atcham, and Councillor Keith Roberts, Mayor of Shrewsbury, were equally impressed.

Parts of the service were moving, as people shared what Street Pastors, or being a Street Pastor, has meant to them as individuals.

Daniel Kawczynski MP said after the event:

“I have taken a personal interest in the development of the Shrewsbury Street Pastors throughout the year, and was pleased to have been invited to join in their service to mark the anniversary of the scheme and to celebrate its success.  To take to the streets in all weathers during the early hours of the morning shows real commitment.  The dedication and hard work of the volunteers should be commended.  Shrewsbury is very privileged to have the benefit of such a scheme, particularly in the lead up to Christmas, and I am pleased that it can continue.”

In May 2012 the initiative was presented with the Shrewsbury Town Council Mayor of Shrewsbury 2012 Gold Award, in recognition and appreciation of its outstanding contribution to the community.  In addition, it was also presented with the Mayor of Shrewsbury’s Community Award for 2012.

Street Pastors is an initiative by Christian churches in over 200 towns and cities across the UK.  Volunteers patrol the streets late at night to listen, care and provide practical help to anyone in need of their assistance.  It was pioneered in London in 2003 by the Rev Les Isaac, CEO of The Ascension Trust.

It has seen some remarkable results, including drops in crime in areas where teams have been working.  Each project is set up by The Ascension Trust and run by a local co-ordinator, with support from The Ascension Trust, local churches and community groups in partnership with police, council and other statutory agencies.

Shrewsbury Street Pastors started in 2011 with the aim of making the town centre a safer place for people to enjoy themselves over the weekend.  Another aim was to reduce the number of river deaths, which since 2006 amounted to 29 lost lives. 

Street Pastors are in the town centre every weekend between the hours of 10pm and 4am to help, care, and listen to those in difficulty without judgement or discrimination.  A bottle of water for those who are dehydrated, a pair of flipflops for those struggling to walk in high heels,  a space blanket for those without a coat, a phone call to track down missing friends or arrange a taxi home, or simply a listening ear – all part of a night’s work for a Street Pastor. 

During the first year of Street Pastors, alcohol-related incidents and incidents of crime and disorder had declined by 19% from the previous year.  Even more importantly, there has not been a river death within the town centre river loop whilst Street Pastors have been on patrol.  This initiative has not only helped and comforted large numbers of people, but also undoubtedly has saved lives.

The patrol is linked by radio with the emergency services, door staff and the town’s CCTV system.

During the past year, Street Pastors have been on the streets 77 nights, equating to a total of 1,656 hours.  They have been in contact with 6,930 people, and accompanied or observed 140 of them to safety, either by reuniting them with friends or family or getting them home in a taxi or even escorting them home.  With a view to educating revellers of the danger of drink spiking, 960 “Spikeys” were distributed, with advice about how to avoid the danger and what to do if a drink is suspected to have been spiked.

The other practical help given by the volunteers was by supplying 106 bottles of water, 77 space blankets, 187 pairs of flip flops and 670 lollipops.  In addition 1,524 bottles and glasses were removed from the streets, preventing injury or use as weapons.
Shrewsbury Street Pastors are seeking to recruit more volunteers as Street Pastors, Prayer Pastors or to help in other ways, eg. fundraising for the charity.  This will enable this vital initiative to grow and continue to make this beautiful town a safer place to live, work and visit.

If you think you would like to help, please contact the Shrewsbury Street Pastors Co-ordinator by phone on 07753 691635 or email shrewsbury@streetpastors.org.uk  – or for more information visit the Facebook page “Shrewsbury Street Pastors”.