3 December 2012

Please note: this news article is in our archive. Articles were correct at time of publication, but should not be relied on for accuracy after the passage of time.

STREET Pastors, who will be patrolling East Grinstead’s town centre on Friday and Saturday evenings alongside the police from the end of February, have celebrated their official arrival in town with a reception at East Court attended by Town Mayor Liz Bennett.

The Pastors, who are all volunteers from Churches Together in East Grinstead, will work in pairs from 6pm until the early hours each night, as a Christian presence on the streets to help anyone who may be in need of assistance.

The scheme was pioneered in London by the Rev Les Isaac as a response to urban problems including late night drunkenness and violence, and has seen remarkable results including a drop in crime in areas where teams are deployed.

Volunteers, who are CRB checked and have references from their local parish churches,  are trained by the Ascension Trust of which Rev Isaacs is the chairman. They are organised by a local coordinator, with support from the police, the Town Council and other agencies.

Town Mayor Liz Bennett cut the cake at the official launch of Street Pastors in East Grinstead supported by Rev Geoff Bell of Trinity Methodist Church, a representative of the Ascension Trust, John Durrant and Chief Inspector Jon Hull.