Street pastors come to Newport (From South Wales Argus)

Street pastors come to Newport

11:10am Friday 15th May 2009 in News By Alison Sanders

REVELLERS in Newport will soon get a helping hand from a new source - street pastors.

The Street Pastor scheme, which has been hailed a success in more than 60 other towns and cities in the UK, will come to Newport this summer.

Around 20 church members, ministers and leaders will volunteer their time to work in teams of four between 10pm and 4am on Friday and Saturday nights.

This includes the scheme’s coordinator Les Tuckwell.

Mr Tuckwell, 63, of Clevedon Road, said there is a great need for the scheme in Newport.

Mr Tuckwell, who has been the pastor of St Mary Street Baptist Church in Baneswell for six years, said it is an opportunity for churches and Christians in Newport to show they care for the city.

He said: "There's evidence around to show that people are getting into trouble, drunkenness and violence but hopefully the Street Pastors will be able to prevent this."

But Mr Tuckwell said they are not going out there to convert people.

He added: “If people ask us we will tell them what we think but it’s not our prime objective. We’re there to listen, care and to help.”

The Street Pastors will receive 12 days of training over the next few months from the police, social services, probation service and from drug awareness teams.

Their training will include listening and counselling skills.

They will wear distinctive Street Pastor uniforms and help drunk people, those who become separated from friends, or feeling unwell.

They will offer support and guidance to ensure revellers do not get into trouble or become a victim of crime.

The scheme has the support of Gwent Police, Newport City Council and local churches.

The Safer Newport Partnership Sergeant Bernie Dawson said the Street Pastors will be supplementing the work carried out by emergency services, licensing authorities, security industry door staff and other agencies.

The Street Pastor Scheme started in Jamaica in 2001 as a Christian response to violent crime and is currently operating in Cardiff, Swansea and Bridgend.

It is set to come to Newport in August or September.

Plans are also underway to introduce a Street Pastors scheme in Blaenau Gwent.