Street Pastors are out patrolling over the Christmas season

Street Pastors out on patrol. (Photo: Ascension Trust)

Street Pastors will be out patrolling towns and cities across the UK this Christmas to help ensure that people enjoy the festivities safely. 

Christmas is one of the busiest times of year for frontline services as many people head out to party, bringing large crowds into town and city centres.

Volunteers Street Pastors work to keep the streets safe and lighten the load for frontline services by offering water, administering first aid, clearing glass bottles, providing a listening ear to people in distress and making sure people get home safely.

Chief Operating Officer Eustace Constance said the Street Pastors would be out over the Christmas season whatever the weather. 

"Street Pastors do not provide fair weather support, our teams will be patrolling over the Christmas and New year celebrations, regardless of the weather condition," he said.

"Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. Our desire is that everyone get to do that safely and feeling cared for, especially over this season." 

Street Pastors are volunteers who come from local churches and are trained to offer support and assistance on the UK's town and city streets. Over 19,000 people have been trained as Street Pastors since the initiative was launched by Les Isaac in 2003. 

News
The first Christmas song to be sung in churches
The first Christmas song to be sung in churches

Every Christmas, people sing the song “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night”. Unlike many other songs and carols that include elements of non-biblical tradition and myth, this song is pure Scripture. It was the first Christmas song authorised to be sung in the Church of England. This is the story …

The story of the Christmas Truce of 1914
The story of the Christmas Truce of 1914

On Christmas Eve in 1914, many men were in the trenches fighting the war, but the spirit of Christmas halted the conflict for a brief period. This is the story …

Report highlights injustices experienced by Christians in the Holy Land
Report highlights injustices experienced by Christians in the Holy Land

Jerusalem Church leaders have released a report detailing the struggles and challenges currently faced be Christians living in the Holy Land.

Have you lost the wonder of Christmas?
Have you lost the wonder of Christmas?

For you who have been followers of Jesus Christ for a long time, maybe the pain and suffering of this world and the darkness you have had to live through this past year has gotten you down to the point of complete and utter discouragement. But all is not lost.