Officers from Police Scotland and volunteers from Perth Street Pastors were in the city today (Friday September 25) raising awareness of the joint partnership working that is carried out to keep people safe during the evening.
Perth Street Pastors is voluntary organisation populated by local people from local churches. You can often see them walking in Perth city centre on most Thursday and Saturday evenings looking out for the interests of those enjoying the city’s nightlife, who may be vulnerable due to their level of alcohol consumption.
For a variety of reasons, people may be in need of assistance or advice when they come out onto the street from the local pubs and clubs and working closely with local police officers, Street Pastors can play an important role in keeping people safe – especially as the nights become cold and wet over the autumn and winter season.
Street Pastors offer a variety of practical support to those they meet. They carry first aid kits, bottled water, emergency blankets, lollipops, and perhaps most famously of all flip flops for people who have chosen to go barefoot due to having sore or tired feet.
The presence of Street Pastors also supports Operation Quest which is aimed at reducing violence and anti-social behaviour in Tayside Division.
Street Pastors have been operating in as part of the national, and now international, Street Pastors network since 2007. The Perth Street Pastors began with teams out every Saturday night and have since expanded to cover Thursday nights as the student night in as well.
They also have teams out on the Friday nights over the festive period, special nights such as Bonfire Night and Hogmanay, local events such as the Braemar Night in Blairgowrie, and coordinate the Street Pastors presence at T in the Park.
Anyone interested in finding out more information about Perth Street Pastors can contact the Perth Street Pastors coordinator Fraser Hunter at perth@streetpastors.org.uk or telephone 077511 85639.
