Street Pastors prepare to meet Colchester's late night revellers

A GROUP of Colchester Christians are set to reduce rowdy behaviour and late-night problems in Colchester's town centre.

Colchester's Street Pastors will be following in the footsteps of similar models which run successfully in London, Romford and Southend.

The formal launch of the Colchester Street Pastor took place at the Mayor's Parlour at the Town Hall where they were greeted by mayor Ray Gamble. There will also be a Commissioning service with the
mayor, council and police taking part.

The first street pastors were on the streets of Colchester on December 14, visiting the hotspots until the early hours of Saturday morning.

Twenty Street Pastors have been trained to chat to revellers, offer a shoulder to cry on, mediate in disputes, provide counselling to those people at risk of alcohol or drug abuse and give
first aid if needed.

Revd Alison Finch, Colchester's town centre chaplain who is based at St Peter's and St Botolph's
churches, said: "It is a great that Street Pastors have now come to Colchester.
"The role is not about preaching, but about caring, listening and helping. This has only come about due to the partnership of Colchester Borough Council, Essex Police and the church working together for the good of the community.

"At the moment we have 20 street pastors, but we already have a list of of people who will be taking part in our second wave of training in the spring."

 

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