CHURCHGOERS will be giving revellers a helping hand in the next few weeks in an attempt to clear up antisocial behaviour and make Loughborough a safer place. After many weeks of training, Loughborough now has 21 volunteer Street Pastors. Each week, four of them on a rota basis, will be out in uniform in the town centre on Friday nights from 10pm to 4am. They will be helping drunk people get home, clearing up broken bottles and offering a listening ear. They will not be using the initiative to preach the word of God. Street Pastors was set up nationally and since the first London project in 2003, there are now scores of similar schemes in towns and cities all around the UK. In Loughborough, this is the first time it has been orchestrated with Deacon Jan Sutton, of Trinity Methodist Church, as the local co-ordinator. The volunteers, with an age range of 20-74 years, come from nine local churches - all are supported by the Loughborough Churches Partnership and Hope 08. Deacon Jan Sutton said: “Street Pastors have been welcomed in many other towns. In Leicester, where I have worked for over a year, good relationships have developed between the police, council, the public, pub, club owners and doormen. “In Loughborough we hope to get to know everyone and help people out on a Friday night to have a good time and to keep safe.” A service will be held on Friday, May 16, at 7.30pm at New Springs church before they take to the streets. Everyone is welcome to show their encouragement and support of the project. The speaker will be Eustace Constance, from the London base of Street Pastors. | 
