Street Pastors

They have only just arrived on the streets of Croydon. You may already have seen them, dressed in their distinctive yet casual uniforms marked ‘Street Pastors’. More are on the way. Who are they, what are they doing, where did they come from – and why? We found out the answers…

What is Street Pastors?
Street Pastors is an interdenominational Church response to neighbourhood problems: engaging with people on the streets and at night-time venues to care, listen, dialogue and offer practical help.

Who runs it?
Street Pastors began in 2000 as the result of a visit to Jamaica by Reverend Les Isaac who saw how local churches had struggled to respond to local crime. Ascension Trust is the parent body for Street Pastors and operates out of offices in Brixton. Locally, Street Pastors is operated by Croydon churches.

What is a Street Pastor?
A Street Pastor is a church leader/minister or member of the congregation who shares a concern for society and wishes to engage people where they are. Street Pastors are there to care, listen and help. They patrol local streets, pubs and clubs and seek to build relationships with people.

What is their role?
Their main role is to make themselves available to care, listen, support and help people, especially young people, to move into positive endeavours. They share their Christian faith by simply being there and through conversation, not through ‘preaching’.

Who can be a Street Pastor?
The criteria are as follows:

Minimum age: 18. (Some of the most effective Street Pastors are female and over 60!)
Commitment as a church member for a least one year.
A recommendation from one’s parish priest (this is very important).
Completion of a 12-day Street Pastors’ training course.

What does the training entail?

Spending 12 Saturdays from 9.30am to 3pm over a seven-month period (3 blocks of 4 weeks).
After the first block of training Street Pastors start work on a Friday or Saturday evening between 10pm and 4am, working in a group of four covering these hours once a month.
They are provided with a coat, shirt and cap which have ‘Street Pastor’ written on them and are only worn when ‘on duty’.

How much does the training cost?

The course currently costs Ł300 each which includes the provision of clothing and equipment.
Each Street Pastor is encouraged to contribute towards the cost personally - at the moment this is Ł50.
The rest of the cost is met through contributions from churches, the local council, the police, charitable bodies and individuals.

Does it work?
Emphatically yes! and in cities and towns across the country. Police research shows that street crime falls dramatically when Street Pastors are on patrol – anything from 30-90 per cent.

Interested?
For more information, telephone 020 8680 9924 or email grayson.williams@croydoncitadel.org

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