Stowmarket Town Pastors is a Suffolk-based brand of the National Street Pastors  An inter-denominational group of Christians making a very real difference on the streets of our county towns by working as part of a team, in collaboration with the police and local council, seeking to be a positive influence. Caring, listening and engaging with vulnerable people in the nightlife, pub and club areas within the UK’s towns and cities, this initiative was started in London in 2003 by Rev. Les Isaac and has now spread to over 100 UK towns and cities.

In Suffolk, a Town Pastors scheme began  in Ipswich and has since been followed by schemes in Bury St. Edmunds, Newmarket, Woodbridge, Sudbury, Stowmarket, Lowestoft and Felixstowe.

The Stowmarket Town Pastors scheme currently operates on Friday nights from 8pm to 11pm in the town with one or two teams of fully equipped and trained Town Pastors. Back at the town centre base, a group will stay in contact with the pastors and provide prayer support.  Meanwhile, dedicated folk at home are committed to praying all the time that the pastors are on the streets!

Feedback

Comments so far have been very positive.  Those involved in the “night time economy” of the town i.e. pubs, clubs, late night shops, taxi firms have welcomed the presence of the pastors on the streets.  The police have seen first hand how the calming influence of the pastors coming alongside young people has effectively diffused tense situations and the local authority are very supportive.

A brief summary of the nights we patrol is made by the pastors at the end of each night. We hope to make a big difference to the general night time atmosphere in Stowmarket.  This has already been acknowledged by the police and local authorities and local people have expressed their appreciation that the pastors are in the town but stressed they need us to stay out later and do Saturday nights as well.

In general, the police have reported that when the pastors are out in any of our Suffolk towns, the crime rate goes down, the drugs’ trade is disrupted and admissions to A&E are reduced.  They admit they don’t know how it works or why it works, but they know it works and are keen to support our input.

What Next

When resources i.e. manpower and funding to train and equip them permits, we will endeavour to stay out later on Fridays and consider doing Saturday nights too. 

 We would also contemplate being involved in town events i.e. carnival, late night Christmas shopping or anything where large numbers of people gathered for any function may need the care and support of the town pastors.