OKEHAMPTON’S new street pastor scheme, which will see volunteers patrol the streets of the town at night to offer assistance to those in need, is to launch this weekend.

Street pastors are volunteers who engage with people on the evening streets and provide them with support. The street pastors patrol in teams of men and women, usually from 10pm to 4am on a Friday and Saturday night, to care for, listen to and help people who are on the streets outside local bars, pubs and clubs.

With support from Devon and Cornwall Police, local churches, West Devon Borough Council and Okehampton Town Council, the street pastor project in Okehampton will be put into practice in the forthcoming weeks.

The volunteers will work together with other partners in the night time economy to make the community safer.

Okehampton town and borough Cllr Julie Yelland, who is also chairman for Okehampton Street Pastors, said: ‘Okehampton Street Pastors came about after two members of Christians Together in Okehampton decided to walk around the streets and visit the local pubs late at night to see for themselves exactly what the need was in Okehampton late at night.’

‘On their travels they bumped into a PCSO who was absolutely delighted that they were thinking of setting Street Pastors up in Okehampton.

‘After further discussions with the police and the local churches, a committee was formed and a conversation was had with Ascension Trust, the umbrella organisation. 

‘It took a while to get all the formal paperwork sorted out but in the meantime the committee were busy promoting the idea around the churches and recruiting volunteers — all of whom need to go through an interview process and are subject to references and a DBS check.

‘On September 1, Okehampton Street Pastors was officially constituted. This enabled us to open a bank account and start fundraising.

‘Our volunteers have started their comprehensive training programme and we are hoping that they will be commissioned and out on the streets in teams of four on a Saturday night towards the end of January.

‘Okehampton Street Pastors do not take the place of the police. They are there to provide care, support and a listening ear in a non-judgmental manner to anyone who approaches them. 

‘They are recognised by their distinctive uniform and members of the community know they can approach Okehampton Street Pastors safely when they will be helped.

‘They provide support and advice to people who wouldn’t necessarily speak with police officers and listen to individuals who just want to talk to somebody.

‘They can be a calming influence on people who may be intoxicated and emotional.

‘There is considerable evidence nationally that the presence of Street Pastors has a very positive effect on the behaviour of those enjoying the night time economy with a subsequent reduction in anti-social behaviour and criminal activity. 

‘Their existence in the neighbouring town of Tavistock has led to a calmer feeling around the town during the evening and night time economy.

‘The volunteers are well known and respected by youngsters throughout the town. They add to the safeguarding network while helping to prevent crime and assaults.’

Each street pastor project is set up by Ascension Trust, which is the governing body behind street pastors.

The projects are then run by a local co-ordinator with support from local churches and community groups, in partnership with the police, local authority and other statutory agencies

Ascension Trust is a Christian charity that brings the church into partnership with other community agencies to work towards safer streets and an investment into the lives of young people.

Renowned for their compassion, street pastors are famous for handing out lollipops to defuse tension between pub-goers and supplying flip flops to those struggling to walk in their high heel shoes, to reduce the risk of falls or people cutting their feet on broken glass.

Originally pioneered in London in 2003, street pastors have since become firmly established nationwide. There are now 11,000 trained street pastors who play an active role in around 270 towns and cities across the UK.

The street pastor launch event will be held on Saturday, December 3 in the Church Hall on Market Street.

The event, which starts at 2.30pm, is open to all. Attending the launch will be representatives from local churches, pubs, police and council.

Roger Bird, an experienced Street Pastor from Tavistock, will be giving a talk about street pastors and the work they do within communities.