From The Editor
Church leaders will be patrolling Wandsworth town centre from October in an extension of the street pastors initiative.
It follows the success of a trial scheme which has been running in Balham on Friday and Saturday evenings since April.
Working in teams of four street pastors aim to tackle anti social behaviour by build a long term dialogue with young people and demonstrating a willingness to listen and learn about the issues they face.
Following a period of training local ministers and leading church members visit places where individuals gather to hang out.
The new Wandsworth scheme will operate initially in the afternoons. Many local retailers report problems with young people at the end of the school day. When sufficient participants have been trained it will be extended into the evenings.
The two-year project will be funded by the council with support from the police..
Council leader Edward Lister said:
"There's been a lot of interest in this scheme from churches in different parts of the borough. We are currently looking at further schemes in Battersea and Tooting.
"We have some very committed people in Wandsworth who are determined to make this work. It's an initiative which comes from the community which we are keen to support."
There are 21 street pastor schemes around the country of which 19 are in London.
You can contact the street pastors at wandsworth@streetpastors.org.uk
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