Street pastors to recruit more volunteers (From Kidderminster Shuttle)

Street pastors to recruit more volunteers

7:30am Thursday 17th January 2013 in News

THE street pastors initiative is appealing for volunteers to help keep the towns of Kidderminster, Stourport and Bewdley safer.

The initiative, run by volunteers from The Churches Together in Kidderminster, is launching a recruitment drive to find more potential volunteers who would like to be trained as street pastors.

The Kidderminster team, in partnership with West Mercia Police and Wyre Forest Community Safety Partnership, was launched in October to help people who had drunk too much, had hurt themselves or just needed someone to talk to on their nights out.

Volunteers made a special effort to help over the festive season where more street pastors took to the streets of Kidderminster.

Rev Derek Arnold, chairman of the street pastors committee, said: “Christmas was a good time to be out. We met a lot new faces who were pleased to see us out and some who still didn’t know what we did and why we would volunteer to walk the streets just to make sure people were safe.

“We witnessed some aggressive behaviour, due to high spirits, as people started the Christmas break and consumed too much alcohol but the incidents we saw seemed to be handled well by the police on duty.

“After consultation with our street pastors and after talking with another agency, it seems that the younger and perhaps more vulnerable people are out on a Friday night, so we have decided to continue with Friday nights and add a Saturday night once a month.”

If you are a member of a church and would like to know more about the project call Mr Arnold on 01562 745066 or email kidderminster@streetpastors.co.uk