Street pastors to come to Braintree

8:56am Monday 23rd June 2008

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VOLUNTEERS are to take to the streets on Friday nights to look after people who are out on the town.

Several churches in Braintree are taking part in the street pastors scheme, which has been a success across the country, including Chelmsford and Colchester, and was initially started in Jamaica.

Nineteen volunteers have started their training and are due to patrol Braintree town centre from September.

Social worker Jackie Olsen, who is the Braintree street pastors co-ordinator, said the intention is to be a "loving presence, just people who are around. If we see someone really drunk and lying in the gutter, we will go over and help and get them a cab."

They also hope to provide water to people who have drunk too much alcohol, and talk to youngsters who are hanging around the streets and parks to find out if anything can be done to help them.

"As we are chatting to people and getting to know people, perhaps that might way lay them from getting into trouble," said Mrs Olsen.