ON a very hot summer’s afternoon 26 members of Shobrooke Friendly Club enjoyed a talk by David Brassington of Copplestone, a member of the Exeter Street Pastor scheme.

David started his talk by giving a potted history of the organisation, how it had been started in London in 2003 by the Rev Les Isaac, from an idea originating in Jamaica. The idea being to confront the gang culture in London.

Street Pastors would talk to gang members when matters seemed to be getting “emotional”, and in so doing had a calming effect on the situation. In fact it was found that the effect of street pastors saw a significant drop in night crime in many areas.

Any person wanting to become a Street Pastor is subject to a stringent vetting procedure and training for several weeks before being allowed out on patrol.

Pastors go on patrol mainly on Friday and Saturday nights from about 10pm until 3am the next morning, in a group of a minimum of three who keep in visual contact with each other at all times.

They wear distinctive clothing with “Street Pastor” in high visibility lettering.

The aim is to be around when the clubs close, so as to be able to help those who have over indulged, or celebrated too vigorously.

Exeter Street Pastors was launched in June 2009. As far as their work in Exeter is concerned, David said that they patrol in the areas covered by the Local Authority CCTV cameras, so that they are in visual contact with the person in the Local Authority control room.

The leader of the group is equipped with a radio, and can listen to what the control room has to say regarding any incident outside any club or pub.

Street Pastors carry a small haversack which contains a variety of equipment. This includes a dustpan and brush for sweeping up broken bottles, flip-flops, for the ladies who cannot bear to wear their high heels after an exhausting night clubbing to prevent injury from any broken glass about, a bottle of water, a First Aid kit, and surprisingly a supply of lollipops or sweets.

Being offered a lollipop seems to have a defusing effect on what appears to be a potentially violent situation. Furthermore, a person sucking a sweet or lolly, finds it a little difficult to shout or argue.

Street Pastors are not in any way linked to the Police, but they work with the Police and are respected by them for the work that they do.

They are purely a Christian organisation, under the auspices of the Ascension Trust.

New club member, Mrs Janet Davey, brought along a selection of CD’s which she no longer needed, for sale to any club member that wished to buy them, and very kindly donated the proceeds to the Friendly Club.

The draw prizes this month were donated by Pam Dobson, David and Jacqui Lee.

The next meeting of the club will be on July 19 and will be an outing to Poole, with the possibility of a boat trip around Poole harbour, time and weather permitting.

Further details can be obtained either from Margaret Gale on 01363 773282 or Eileen James on 01392 851218.

Norman Gale