Street Pastors to help tackle anti-social behaviour on Wandsworth's streets

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a 2 year project funded by the Council  with police support

Church leaders will be patrolling Wandsworth town centre from October in an extension of the street pastors initiative.

It follows the success of a trial scheme which has been running in Balham on Friday and Saturday evenings since April.

Working in teams of four street pastors aim to tackle anti-social behaviour by build a long term dialogue with young people and demonstrating a willingness to listen and learn about the issues they face.

Following a period of training local ministers and leading church members visit places where individuals gather to hang out.

The new Wandsworth scheme will operate initially in the afternoons. Many local retailers report problems with young people at the end of the school day. When sufficient participants have been trained it will be extended into the evenings.

Wandsworth Council leader Edward Lister said: "There's been a lot of interest in this scheme from churches in different parts of the borough. We are currently looking at further schemes in Battersea and Tooting.

"We have some very committed people in Wandsworth who are determined to make this work. It's an initiative which comes from the community which we are keen to support."

There are 21 street pastor schemes around the country of which 19 are in London.

Street Pastors is an inter-denominational Church response to urban problems, engaging with people on the streets to care, listen and dialogue.

It was pioneered in London in January 2003 by Rev Les Isaac, Director of the Ascension Trust.

Each city project is run by a local coordinator with support from Ascension Trust and local churches and community groups, in partnership with Police, Council and other statutory agencies.

September 2, 2008