Town Pastors work spreads to several Suffolk towns
 The Town Pastors scheme has been running for three years in Ipswich and is now spreading across Suffolk. Town Pastors are established in Bury St Edmunds and Newmarket, and Woodbridge and Sudbury are ready to go. Stowmarket is also in the pipeline.
The Ipswich project now involves people from 47 churches and enjoys good relationships with the public on the streets at night and with the working partners – police, Council, paramedics and door staff. Town Pastors represent the love of Jesus to those who need care on a Friday or Saturday night.
Town Pastor, Linda Taylor, writes “I have been a Town Pastor for about 2.5 years, and one thing has always struck me - the awareness of being very much a part of a larger Christian community. It is of no real importance which individual Church we belong to; all that matters is that we belong together. There is a sense of purpose, unspoken trust, since we have one faith and a common aim as we walk the streets together.”
Chief Superintendent Mark Cordell writes "I became the Eastern Area Commander on 5th January, my territory covering from Felixstowe to Lowestoft, including Ipswich. I was aware that Night Time Economy issues would be high up my agenda so on 23rd January I spent the evening patrolling the streets of Ipswich with Pc Ian Rafferty. Some of the first people we met were two Town Pastors, who gave me a quick explanation of their work. It was obvious by their enthusiasm how much they enjoyed it.”
“Prior to my current role I had been at our HQ at Martlesham and wasn't very familiar with this initiative. Ian was extremely complimentary of the Town Pastors, as was Inspector Becky Kidd-Stanton, our NTE Inspector at Ipswich. I am aware that this initiative is now developing across Suffolk and further afield than that.”
“I want my staff to be able to police Friday and Saturday evenings in Ipswich to enable those law abiding people to come into town and have a great time. What I want to minimise, and hopefully eventually stop, is those who choose to behave unreasonably. The fact that there is in the Town a group of people who provide care and assistance to those who may be temporarily vulnerable is a huge help to my staff, who can then concentrate on their key role.”
“On behalf of my staff, can I thank all the Town Pastors for their help, enthusiasm and commitment in their role, which we all hope will long continue" 
For further information contact:
Town Pastors Ipswich:
Website: www.townpastors.org.uk
Town Pastors Bury St Edmunds
Website: www.burytownpastors.org.uk
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