Van gift a Godsend for Telford street pastors

Since the volunteers hit the streets three years ago they have given out thousands of lollipops – which they say help to defuse highly-charged situations on nights out – and hundreds of pairs of flip flops and blankets for women struggling to walk in heels or shivering in the cold.

Now they have been given a new van to help them get around.

Telford & Wrekin's street pastors have been given a former police vehicle, donated by West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner Bill Longmore.

It follows a successful application for a grant by the borough's Community Safety Partnership.

The former police support unit carrier will allow the street pastors to move around Telford's night time venues as they are needed.

Mr Longmore handed over the keys to the newly-decorated vehicle to street pastors co-ordinator Reverend Keith Osmund-Smith.

"This vehicle has come at just the right time for us. It will enable us to have a mobile base," Mr Osmund-Smith said. "What it does give us is a very visible presence on the streets."

The street pastors used the van for the first time on Saturday night while they kept an eye on revellers in Wellington.

Every street pastor patrol carries a comprehensive first aid kit, bottled water, flip flops, space blankets and a never ending supply of lollipops.

This combined with training, a friendly greeting and sometimes an arm to lean on and a listening ear is more often than not all that is needed to calm difficult situations or to defuse incidents.

Councillor Hilda Rhodes, cabinet member for transport at Telford & Wrekin Council, said: "I am delighted that we have been successful in our application to get this former police vehicle and it will be a major boost for the street pastors team to have this level of mobility."

To be a street pastor, people must be over 18 (no upper age limit), a church member, have a complete CRB check and be able to commit to a full training programme.