Weymouth pastor scheme hailed a success

The scheme is now growing in number and expanding its hours of operation to continue keeping vulnerable partygoers out of trouble.

An extra 21 volunteers will take the number of uniformed churchgoers who patrol the streets of Weymouth town centre at night to 51.

The scheme, which has been running since June 2008, will now be extended from Friday nights to include Saturday nights. Inspector Pete Meteau, section commander for Weymouth and Portland, said: “I cannot thank the street pastors enough for the excellent work they have done over the past year.

“Thanks to their support we are able to do our jobs even more effectively.

“The fact that the pastors are looking out for the vulnerable lets us focus on both preventing trouble and arresting problem individuals.”

The Exeter Drug Project and Dorset County Council have also become involved in the scheme and are helping the pastors prepare for some of the incidents they might be faced with on a typical night out.

Street pastors carry backpacks containing basic first aid kits, water bottles, flip-flops, dustpans and brushes and marked-up maps of the town centre.

The Rev Tony Stephens, of St Andrew’s Church in Preston, said the scheme had been so successful because the pastors had time for worse-for-wear clubbers.

“We can afford to spend time with people when they have become vulnerable.

“We have a non-judgmental approach so by listening, caring and through dialogue, we can help people when they have become a little worse for wear.”

A team of 12 volunteers prays over the town and its inhabitants from St Mary’s Church in the town centre when the street pastors are out.

The Rev Stephens added that the street pastors are not trying to convert people to become Christians.

“I still think some people misunderstand us – we are trying to help members of our community and keep them safe,” he said.

For more information on Weymouth Street Pastors, call the Rev Stephens on 01305 780844.