The Street Pastor: A friendly ear, supportive advice and a lollipop or two!

What is a Street Pastor?

Street Pastors are members of local churches with a particular interest in the welfare of young people in today’s society, particularly those involved in crime and anti-social behavior. The Street Pastor is there to get to know people in the community and to build relationships in order to find out their needs and what can be done to help. 

What do they do?

Street Pastors engage with young people in their own environment; be it on the streets, pubs, clubs and bars or at parties and other social events. A Street Pastor’s main role is to make themselves available to care, listen, support and help vulnerable people, especially young individuals.

A Street Pastor team goes out on patrol most Friday and Saturday nights, wearing distinctive uniforms. Practical support includes issuing bottled water for dehydration, providing ‘space blankets’ for those in need of warmth, chocolate and lollipops for energy and even flipflops to ease the long walk home after a night in high heels. In addition to this practical support, the aim is to be a supportive presence on the streets, assisting anybody in need of help, particularly those leaving pubs and clubs and listening to those who want a friendly ear. The overall priority is to help make the streets a safer place to be, discourage crime and vandalism and reduce the vulnerability of individuals alone.

Does it actually work?

Yes!

There are over 10000 fully trained Street Pastors in the UK in over 150 locations up and down the country including well established teams in Andover, Basingstoke, Salisbury, Southampton and Winchester.

They provide practical support and advice to young people, help to free up limited police resources and support the club and bar owners and door supervisors in diffusing emotional or violent situations. There was even a team of volunteers on hand at the Olympics!

Nationally, it has been proven that street crime drops in areas where Street Pastors operate. The awards are testimony to that!