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Plan for ‘street pastors’ to quell late-night trouble

'Street pastors' could soon be roaming the streets of Perth in a radical bid to stamp out late-night crime and violence. Church leaders have already gathered to discuss the possible introduction of street pastors similar to those operating in London, Birmingham and Manchester.

Local businessman Michael Archibald is leading the venture and is certain it would be a great success. “Very effective street pastor projects already run south of the border and have been an excellent boost to community life,� he said. “New branches are opening all the time in England and there are also international branches in Antigua and Germany."

“Church leaders who met recently will be pursuing the possibility with others who may be interested,� he added. “This way of serving the community offers the church a really unique and exciting opportunity.�

The Rev Les Isaacs is involved in the project in London and addressed the Perth church leaders. “Volunteers from local churches go out on the streets in pairs to show care and support for local people,� he said. “The street pastors operate between 11pm and 4am at weekends."

And the minister made some bold claims regarding the success of the scheme in London. “The caring approach of pastors around the streets for those using pubs and nightclubs has caused a 95% reduction in street crime in Camberwell and 74% in Peckham,� he said.

Full story at Dundee Courier.