Churches Together in Newmarket and District’ (CTND) have set up a Town Pastor Scheme, was launched on Saturday, April 4. The scheme aims to look after people who are in a vulnerable state late at night and is being supported by Newmarket Safer neighbourhood Team (SNT).
Newmarket has a busy nightlife with a nightclub and pubs, which results in a large number of people being on the streets during the early hours. CTND believe that there is a need for a Christian presence on the streets at these times to offer support to vulnerable people, help to defuse potentially difficult situations, and work with other agencies in the town by providing a positive influence in the town backed by prayer. Similar schemes have already been established in Bury St Edmunds and Ipswich and Police statistics have shown that it has had a positive effect on alcohol fuelled crime and disorder.<br><br>The role of a town pastor volunteer is described as complementary to that of a police officer. Both provide a presence so that people can enjoy their night out, defuse any potentially aggressive situations, encourage safe behaviour and foster good relationships between the public and other partnership agencies. The town pastors in Newmarket will be seen in their distinctive high visibility yellow jackets, marked with the Christian fish symbol and will be carrying water bottles for the dehydrated. Town pastors will be patrolling in combined male and female pairs, in areas covered by CCTV and have Town link radios and mobile phones for additional support. They can also call for the help of the Newmarket officers for backup should they need it.<br><br>Mr John Borda of Our Lady and St Etheldreda Catholic Church, who has been involved in setting up the scheme says, “The pastors will be looking out for those who might have overdone their enjoyment of the nightlife or got separated from friends/partners and will make sure they end up safely on their way home. We are now training our first group of town pastors and prayer team members. Our first patrols will be on Saturday 4th April, and every Saturday after that, though we hope to cover additional nights as well once numbers increase.<br><br>“There are over 50 people involved, either as town pastors or as prayer team members, and we are hoping for many more to join as the scheme becomes more established, so we can cover Friday as well as Saturday nights. Ages range from 19 to 70 plus, from all walks of life, and over 10 churches in this area. For more information and photographs, please see our website: www.newmarkettownpastors.org.”<br><br>Sergeant Mark Shipton of Newmarket SNT says, “I want people to enjoy the night life of Newmarket but most of all, I want them to stay safe. All too often the effects of alcohol means that people come to the notice of the police, either as victims or perpetrators. Early intervention and support by the volunteer town pastors can, I’m sure, prevent this.<br><br>“I am delighted that the town pastors are going to be involved in a co-ordinated approach to ensuring that Newmarket remains a safe place. The volunteers will really make a difference in providing a safe haven for vulnerable people. It is so positive to find an organisation that cares passionately about others and the town pastors are wonderful people who have my total admiration.<br><br>“The safety and welfare of those visiting the town on a weekend is of up-most importance to me, knowing the town pastors will be there fills me with confidence that those in need will be helped. I fully support and applaud this excellent project and look forward to working with them.”
Meanwhile in Hampshire, some 26 newly trained Street Pastors hit the streets in Portsmouth on Saturday, March 28.
A Commissioning Event was in Landport, Portsmouth then the Pastors took to the streets to meet members of the public and those who work in the city centre.
Street pastors are a national scheme led by the Ascension Trust – a Christian organisation that works with police and other agencies, including the local council, to provide a listening, caring and supportive presence on the streets.
Street pastors are drawn from the Christian community and undergo a 16-week training programme covering issues such as social awareness, drug and alcohol awareness, counselling skills, mentoring and how agencies work together to tackle social problems.
Portsmouth OCU Commander, Chief Superintendent David Peacock was attending the event, with Chief Inspector Carrie Pither who is part of the Street Pastor Management Committee.
Chief Inspector Pither, said: “We have been working in partnership with the Portsmouth Street Pastors since they first started patrolling in the city in 2007.
“It has been great working with such a motivated and dedicated team of volunteers. The Street Pastors have made a real impact on the atmosphere of the Guildhall Walk. The Street Pastors are excellent listeners, they are calming and reassuring. They do a fantastic job."
Elly Mulvany, Area Co-ordinator for Street Pastors Portsmouth, said: “This Saturday’s Commissioning Event for 26 newly trained Street Pastors at our base at Oasis will be a very moving celebration of all their hard work after training most weekends since January.
“We will take to the streets from 8pm until 10pm to meet and great the public in Portsmouth City Centre build relationships with the police, paramedics and doorstaff around night-time venues. “From April they will boost the existing teams who are out every Friday and Saturday night from 10pm to 3am helping to make the streets a kinder, safer place.
“It is with thanks and praise that we acknowledge the excitement of this mission growing over the last two years with volunteers from 30 churches involved and over 60 Street Pastors making a difference by being there to listen, care and support those in need.”
