WARRINGTON’S Mayor Faisal Rashid helped launch a new project in the town aimed at reducing street crime – Warrington Street Pastors, which has been kick started with a £10,000 donation from Lord Lieutenant for Cheshire, local businessman David Briggs.
The new charity was officially launched in the Council Chamber at Warrington Town Hall in the presence of the Mayor and Mayoress anmd follows on from similar schemes nationally and in other areas of Cheshire, with Mr Briggs encouraging the introduction of the organisation in Warrington.
He asked DL Mark Mitchell to work with the churches of Warrington, the police and the local authority and very soon, trained volunteers from various churches will be on the streets of Warrington from 10pm to 4am to give assistance to those in need; maybe a bottle of water or a blanket.
Most of all though, they will build relationships with those engaged in the night time economy, with schools, local police and youth groups; listening and gaining knowledge of local concerns.
In other areas where Street Pastors operate there is a marked reduction of street crime.
The local charity will be chaired by retired Warrington businessman John Britton and employs a co-ordinator who will organise the training of the volunteers and the running of the scheme, based at night, from Holy Trinity Church.
Pictured (L-R) Stuart McPhail from Hill Cliffe Baptist Church, David Briggs, the Mayor and Mayoress and Mark Mitchell
