Visit the official Street Pastors website at :-
http://streetpastors.org.uk/
Plymouth Street Pastors Launch for Church
Leaders - 20 December 2007. Download
Invite by Clicking Here.
What is a Street Pastor?
A Street Pastor is a Church leader/minister or member
with a concern for society
'Street Pastors' in Plymouth
Street Pastors could soon be here in Plymouth. Police
have given a 'green light' to initiate the programme in the Mutley
Greenbank
area with a view to becoming a model that can then be replicated
across the city.
Mutley Greenbank Trust has been in discussions with
the local Neighbourhood Police Team who are firmly behind the development
of the project. They are very excited about the project and see
it as key to supporting the work that they already do. It is now
up to us as Christians in Plymouth to play our part in the community.'
Louise Baxter, Community Development Worker, fvluiiey Greenbank
Trust.
Over the past 7 years Mutley Greenbank Trust has been working to
improve the lives of individuals living and working in the Mutley
Greenbank neighbourhood of Plymouth. The Trust has worked closely
with the Police, Local Authorities, Churches and community groups
to tackle issues affecting the community.
In recent years Mutley Plain and North Hill have become increasingly
over taken by pubs and clubs, attracting a large night time economy.
This has contributed to a rise in anti social behaviour and crime
amongst young people as weU as adults. This spHfs out into the
streets and affects the quality of life for people in neighbouring
communities. At recent Police consultation meetings in Greenbank
and Mutley, the biggest priority for residents was to see a greater
police presence to meet the issues arising. The Police are very
keen to work with other organisations to both tackle the problems
and arrive at solutions. Something needs to be done to curb the
growing tide of anti social behaviour and crime in the area and
reduce the fear of crime. This is an amazing opportunity for the
church in Plymouth to demonstrate the kingdom of God on our streets
by caring for the community in a practical way.
'Street Pastors' has been identified as a successful tool in combating
crime and is used elsewhere in the country in similar neighbourhoods.
It is an inter-denominational Church response to urban problems,
engaging with people en the streets to care, listen and dialogue.
It was pioneered in London in January 2003 by Rev Les Isaac, Director
of the Ascension Trust, and has seen some remarkable results, including
a drop in crime in
areas where teams have been
working.
Each city project is set up by Ascension Trust and run by a local
Coordinator with the support of the Trust, local churches and community
groups, who will partner with Police, Council and other statutory
agencies.
Mutley Greenbank Trust already has a good working relationship
with the Police and Local Authorities, who are themselves willing
to cooperate with churches, community groups and organisations
to answer the needs of the community and frrrprovelhe outcomes
for individuals. The Trust began investigating the potential for
establishing the Street Pastors initiative here in Plymouth in
October 2006. They are liaising closely with Mutley
Baptist Church and St.
Matthias, as well as other iocal churches and have
met with the Police and other key agencies to discuss this project.
They have received a very favourable and excited response.
Extract from Information Sheet.
Download Full Information
Sheet - Page 1 "Street Pastors In Plymouth"
Download Full Information Sheet - Page 2
"What is a Street Pastor?"
