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STREET pastors could soon be on the streets of Trowbridge at the weekends to offer a friendly ear to people out pubbing and clubbing in the early hours.

A group of churches in the town has come together to try and launch the scheme and is looking for volunteers to give up one Saturday night a month.

Street pastors were launched in London in 2003 as an inter-denominational church response to urban problems and has seen some remarkable results including falls in crime in areas where teams have been working.

David Goldstone, chairman of Street Pastors Trowbridge, said: "It's not about preaching, although it is organised by churches we are hoping that it's our actions rather than our words that are going to help.

"We are simply going to be there for people - it is an opportunity to get out there and help young people from getting into trouble."

Mr Goldstone, of St Thomas' Church, said street pastors could for instance sit with someone who has had too much to drink until they are well enough to get home safely.

He said, in this way, they could assist the police and prevent them from having valuable time taken up with looking after drunk people at the weekends.

The Trowbridge group is looking for about 24 people who are interested in becoming pastors to go out in groups of four on a Saturday night from 10pm-4am.

There would be four or five teams meaning they would only have to give up one Saturday night a month.

Mr Goldstone added: "We think there is a need for this sort of thing in the town, particularly for younger people."

Anyone interested in becoming a street pastor should contact Godfrey McCann on 01225 768127.

11:10am Saturday 12th July 2008

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