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Published:
May 6, 2009
Exclusive:
Street Pastors to be introduced in Burnham and Highbridge
 A
pioneering scheme to introduce night-time Street Pastors in Burnham-On-Sea
and Highbridge is set to launch this summer.
In
an effort to reduce anti-social behaviour and petty crime in the
two towns, the groups of volunteers will be patrolling the town
centres late at night.
The
Pastors will work alongside local police by also offering a helping
hand to weary pub-goers and clubbers.
Kelton
Black, Minister of Highbridge's Gospel Tabernacle, is one of the
organisers of the scheme, and told Burnham-On-Sea.com this week
that six people have already signed up to become volunteers, with
many others interested in helping.
Rev
Black, pictured in Highbridge with one of the volunteers, said:
"Our plans for Street Pastors in Burnham and Highbridge are
now well advanced and the local police are also being very supportive."
"We
hope to formally start the Burnham and Highbridge group over the
next few months."
 The
pastors will work in groups and focus on areas close to pubs and
clubs where there is likely to be more need for their 'listening
ear' and support.
They
will be easily recognisable by their blue caps and jackets, as
pictured.
The
Street Pastor scheme has been running in England since 2003 and
it has been reported that in some areas where they operate crime
has fallen by 84%.
Street
Pastors have already proven successful in other parts of Somerset,
including Weston-super-Mare and Taunton.
To
become a Street Pastor, volunteers need to be over 18 (no upper
age limit), a church member, and able to commit time to a dedicated
training programme.
Each
Street Pastor team usually consists of at least three groups of
four, each of which will work a minimum of one night a month into
the early hours of the morning.
Burnham-On-Sea.com
will be following the progress of the new group in Burnham and
Highbridge over the coming months.
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