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Northamptonshire Police are working in partnership with the Ascension Trust by launching a Street Pastors project that hopes to play a key part in community issues in East Northants. The commissioning service of the first East Northants Street Pastors will take place between 3pm and 5pm on Saturday 4 October at the Full Gospel Church in Rushden. A team of 12 church based local volunteers have completed their training programmes and will be going out for the first time that evening. The Street Pastors will engage with people on the streets and in the community so that he or she can find out what their needs are and what can be done to facilitate them. The project, set up by the Ascension Trust, is funded by the Home Office and will be run by local co-ordinator, Rev. Mark Lees in partnership with the Police and other partner agencies. Commander of the East Northants Sector Inspector Martin Kinchin, local MPs and the Rushden town Mayor will be at the launch along with a speaker from the Ascension Trust, Alison Murray. As Street Pastors themselves, she and her husband will also be joining the team for their first night out. Inspector Martin Kinchin said: "I fully support this new initiative. The project has been used in other places around the country where it has been highly successful but this is a completely new scheme for our county. "Street Pastors should be seen as independent from the Police but we hope that the project will be effective in reducing crime, especially reducing alcohol related violence in town centers, and Street Pastors can hand in drugs and weapons without being questioned on their source." Rev. Mark Lees said: "The volunteers will be going out and about around East Northants, usually on a Friday and a Saturday, to involve themselves in community life whilst offering a listening ear for anyone on the streets who wishes to discuss any personal issues with them. "The main aim of the initiative is to bring peace to the community, working on issues affecting the community, and initiatives that will build trust between the community and the Street Pastors. "Anyone involved or interested in community safety issues is invited to come along for the launch and welcome to join us in prayer." |
