Abingdon launches Street Pastors (From The Oxford Times)

Abingdon Street Pastors scheme to be launched at Strattons nightclub tonight

7:00am Wednesday 9th February 2011 in Abingdon By Herald Reporter

COMMUNITY leaders in Abingdon are meeting tonight to finalise preparations for a Street Pastors scheme.

Representatives from Thames Valley Police, churches in Abingdon, the town and district councils, and the Ascension Trust will be at Strattons nightclub for the official launch.

Police approached churches in Abingdon last year to see if they could establish a scheme and now enough volunteers have been found to start patrolling the streets at the end of May.

The Street Pastors scheme at Wantage celebrated its first birthday in October and during its first year helped more than 3,800 people by handing out flip-flops to girls in high heels and offering support to late-night drinkers.

Abingdon Baptist church minister Rev David Fleming, below, said: “Twelve people have now come forward and eventually we would like to have a team of 16 to 20 volunteers.

“Our plan is to start going out on Friday nights because that is when the police say there is the greatest demand.

“Some of the training will be carried out by the Ascension Trust, which launches these schemes, and we are liaising very closely with people from the scheme in Wantage.

“Street pastors are not confrontational — this is not crime-fighting — we will be there to offer support.

“I will be one of the 12 people going out some nights and I think it will make a difference to the atmosphere in Abingdon at night.

“I would rather be tucked up in my bed and wouldn’t be doing this if I didn’t think it would make a difference.

“We will try to help different people in different ways, including kids and young people staying out late.

“There are now 200 schemes around the country and as far as I know, only one street pastor has ever been assaulted.”

Debra McKnight, the administrator for the Abingdon scheme, said: “We have had a brilliant response from volunteers and training will start in April so that street pastors are ready to start at the end of May.”

Mr Fleming said PCSO Ali Blood and Sgt Kevin Hickman would attend the launch.

Street pastors will operate in the town centre, including Market Place. They could also work close to Strattons nightclub in Ock Street.

Tony de Vere, leader of Vale of White Horse District Council, said: “This is not evangelising and there will be no attempt to bash people over the head with a bible.

“These volunteers simply care about their community, and young people who get in a poor state if they have had too much to drink will be offered a helping hand.”

The launch takes place at the nightclub at 7.30pm.