The Hedge End, West End and Botley Street Pastors scheme (http://tinyurl.com/27r5dm4) launches at 7pm, 10 May at the 2000 Centre. The inter-denominational Church activity involves volunteers in hitting the streets to build relationships.

“STREET PASTORS COMING SOON FOR HEDGE END, WEST END AND BOTLEY”
The Street Pastors scheme goes live soon for Hedge End, West End and Botley with an official launch as part of the Borough Council’s Safer Communities Forum on 10 May.

The public launch takes place at 7pm on 10 May at the 2000 Centre in Hedge End. The speakers include the Mayor of Eastleigh Cllr. Pamela Holden-Brown and Chief Inspector of Police Diana Boyles.

Street Pastor teams already operate successfully in Southampton, Eastleigh, Fair Oak and Horton Heath.

Last year Hampshire Police reported a reduction in crime levels in Fair Oak which was thought to be partly due to the regular presence of Street Pastors in the area.

15 volunteers are currently undergoing 50 hours of training ahead of their commissioning on 2 July.

The training covers subjects ranging from social awareness, drugs awareness and mentoring to local policing, probation services and counselling skills. The training is being delivered by high quality presenters from the Police, Social Services and local Churches.

Frank Parker, Hedge End Co-ordinator, said “Our aim as Street Pastors is to offer care through listening to and by engaging with people on the streets at night. As a group we are looking forward to becoming active in July and to playing our part in the local communities.”

Once the volunteers have been commissioned they will work in teams of 3 or 4 on Friday nights on the streets and in the parks where people gather.

If you’d like more information please visit the Street Pastors’ website at tinyurl.com/25q7wnh

Further Information

1.Street Pastors first started in London in 2003 and there are now 125 teams around the United Kingdom. The initiative has seen some remarkable results, including reductions in crime in some areas. More information is available at tinyurl.com/2d9qtyx or by email to hedgeend@streetpastors.org.uk

2. Street Pastors is an inter-denominational Church activity involving volunteers in hitting the streets to provide care, a listening ear and support through dialogue and relationship building.

3. The Church input for the scheme in Hedge End is being coordinated via Churches Together in Hedge End, West End and Botley.

4. The Street Pastors initiative is funded by the police, local churches and parish councils.