Street pastors to help children get home from school safely
by Cherry Wilson
cherry.wilson@essnmedia.co.uk
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OFFERING REASSURANCE: Street pastors will be looking after children on their way home from school
Church volunteers are to befriend pupils in Croydon as they walk home from school in a bid to reduce the fear of crime in the town centre.
Following a successful pilot in Purley, the street pastors will be teaming up with St Andrew's CofE School to travel with pupils as they make their way through the town at home time.
The scheme is being rolled out to include the school, on Warrington Road, Waddon, after a pilot in Purley.
Year 11 pupils from St Andrew's will join the church volunteers in a bid to reassure pupils and the general public, and to stop trouble from flaring.
Headteacher David Matthews said: "This was an interesting project from our point of view," he said. "It has a real sense of community cohesion.
"We're not a school that has issues with unruly pupils. It's not something we're troubled by.
"But we do appreciate that at home time the sheer volume of students can make some people feel anxious."
The scheme was launched in Purley in May 2008, in conjunction with Thomas More Catholic School, after complaints from bus passengers that pupils were wreaking havoc.
It is the brainchild of Reverend Les Isaac, minister for The Ascension Trust.
Coordinator Pam Searle says pupils embraced the scheme when it was piloted and it helped to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour in the area.
"It's been a really positive experience," she said. "It works because we are on nobody's side.
"We're not the police. We're there to be a presence of peace and show love to the children.
"It's the church on the street and the children really embraced it. We are there for them and nobody else."
*Anyone interested in becoming a school pastor should contact Pam Searle on 07984 374830 or e-mail croydon@streetpastors.org.uk
6 Comments
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by DONNA, croydon
Wednesday, January 27 2010, 9:12PM
“i have to disagree haling manor pupils are by far the worst, i have to get a bus to purley and can guarntee the bus will stop the engine and sit there at least three times a week because of these b*******. Changing the schools name does not change anything. I used to go to haling manor myself 10 years ago and it was bad then but its a bloody joke now. I am now paying a extra £10 a week to get the train to work so i can be on time as i cant afford to be sacked for time keeping. RANT OVER LOL”
by RobinHood, Sherwood
Wednesday, January 27 2010, 1:42PM
“'Reduce the fear of crime in the town centre?'
There are NEO's,Neighbourhood wardens,SPCO's ,real cops,plain clothes cops,store detectives and store security guards.
Soon wont be any room for shoppers or victims...mmm perhaps that is the answer.”
by Peter, Wallington
Wednesday, January 27 2010, 11:56AM
“I have to agree with Mike, St Andrews' pupils are by far the worst that I encounter when I catch the bus to work.
Even the old Haling Manor pupils were better behaved, and that's saying something.”
by Mike, Croydon
Wednesday, January 27 2010, 11:04AM
“"We're not a school that has issues with unruly pupils" said Mr Matthew's.... Well have you travelled with them, because i know for a fact that the school is having it's problems with unruly pupils, just stand outside either the school to see or even the bus stop at the top of surrey street and see for youself! it's a shame because the school use to be very strict and pupils knew how to respect the puplic !”
by carol, CR0
Wednesday, January 27 2010, 10:01AM
“Ive heard about the street pastors, they seem to be a good thing for croydon. Keep up the good work guys!!”