RUGBY Street Pastors have been rewarded for their continued efforts in keeping the town’s residents safe as they enjoy the weekend nightlife.
As part of Warwickshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Ron Ball’s Grant Fund, the Street Pastors received almost £6,000 to carry on their valuable work.
The pastors, trained volunteers from local churches, conduct regular patrols in the town centre on Friday and Saturday nights to care for, listen to and help people out on the streets. The scheme has been in operation since 2010 and currently has 39 volunteers.
Training Co-ordinator Bob Reeve said: “Rugby Street Pastors are extremely grateful for the further funding we have received from the Commissioner, which will go towards the costs of training of 10 new recruits to the scheme and will also offset the costs of our uniform and the equipment we use on our patrols over the next 12 months.”
Mr Ball said: “Street Pastor schemes are much-appreciated by the communities they serve, helping to lower the tensions that often occur between intoxicated clubbers on a night out in the town centres where they operate and providing support and help for the clubbers who are themselves often quite vulnerable.
“I was delighted therefore to join the Rugby Street Pastors on patrol on Saturday and present them with a cheque for the funding in person.”
Visit www.streetpastors.org/locations/rugby for more information.
The fund was set up to supports projects which boost community safety and help address crime and disorder in the county.
Also receiving funding was Warwickshire Horse Watch, which was given £1,000 to fund its volunteer-run scheme for horse owners, helping them stay aware of equine-related crime in their area and helping them take preventative action to keep their horses, tack and vehicles safe.
