Street pastors will soon be on patrol in Whitley Bay. Northumbria Police has funding from North Tyneside Strategic Partnership to pay for a group of Street Pastors to patrol town centre streets on Saturday nights.
The Street Pastors Scheme is made up of volunteers from the Whitley Bay and District Churches Together, they will go out on patrol to offer a helping hand to people who appear vulnerable after a night on the town.
Street Pastors have been running in Newcastle and Sunderland and have say police made a major contribution to helping people and freeing up officers to deal with crime and disorder. The volunteers talk to people who are feeling vulnerable and may need help, and carry a first aid kit. Pastors can offer them a listening ear, as well as practical help with blankets, water and chocolate – important if revellers are feeling cold and de-hydrated – and will help them to contact a friend to get home safely.
Inspector Jim Gray, of Whitley Bay Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: "We’re very pleased to secure the funding for Street Pastors for our town. We know they have been a great success elsewhere across the country and have helped to keep people safe when they become vulnerable after drinking.
"Officers already have strong support from Pubwatch members and door supervisors for Street Pastors and I have no doubt that they will play a successful role in making our town an even safer place.
"People can play their part too in keeping themselves safe, by taking simple steps such as pre-booking a taxi home, sticking with your friends and making sure you don’t make yourself vulnerable by drinking so much you can’t look after yourself safely."
The pastors will soon start a comprehensive training scheme before the initiative goes live later this year.
North Tyneside Elected Mayor Linda Arkley, who chairs the NTSP, said: โThis is all about making the town centre a safer place for everyone to enjoy.
โStreet pastors can help those people who are vulnerable, freeing up the police to deal with any anti-social behaviour.
โIt follows a number of other schemes that have been introduced, which include taxi marshals, polycarbonate drinking glasses and the new licensing policy.
โUltimately, I want Whitley Bay to be known as a family-friendly seaside town.โ
Chair Street Pastors Whitley Bay Pastor Alan Dickinson, of Whitley Bay Christian Fellowship said: "The Street Pastor’s Management group and Whitley Bay churches are so excited about this joint project, working alongside Northumbria Police and North Tyneside Council.
"We have a number of Street Pastors doing training and working with the Newcastle and Sunderland Street pastors, gaining valuable practical experience and awaiting the launch of the project in Whitley Bay.
"Street pastor projects are very successful across the country and have had a positive impact on the community they serve. We’re looking forward to bringing this service to Whitley Bay."
"We’ve been delighted with the support of the churches, police, and local authority in Whitley Bay. The aim of Street Pastors is caring, listening and helping on the streets of Whitley Bay."
North Tyneside Strategic Partnership brings together representatives from North Tyneside Council, Jobcentre Plus, North Tyneside Primary Care Trust, Northumbria Police, the private sector, Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, TyneMet College, and the voluntary and community sector.
