An exciting new pilot scheme funded by the Gwynedd Community Safety Partnership is set to take to the streets of Bangor on Bonfire night.
A service will be held on Friday, 5 November at 7:30pm at the Penrallt Chapel, Bangor before the volunteers head out onto the streets for the first time. They will then become a familiar sight around the streets of Bangor on Friday nights between 10pm and 4am.
The Street Pastors are volunteers from Cytûn, the Bangor Churches organisation. They have just completed phase one of their basic training and they can now put their skills to the test by assisting people who may have got into difficulty. Their role will involve calming tense situations, helping those who may have become separated from friends and helping to ensure people get home safely.
They will be working in Partnership with North Wales Police and other organisations to make Bangor a safer place for those enjoying a night out, as well as those who live and work in the city.
Catherine Roberts, Gwynedd’s Senior Community Safety Officer said:
“With such a large influx of students coming to Bangor and the busy periods before Christmas we want to ensure that people can experience what Bangor has to offer in a safe environment.”
The city has a vibrant nightlife and a busy night time economy and the pilot scheme, which has proven successful in other towns in England and Wales, is intended to add value in further protecting vulnerable people and contributing to reducing crime and the fear of crime.
North Wales Police have also welcomed the scheme and added that they are looking forward to working in Partnership with the Street Pastors.
Inspector Manon Owen said:
“This is the first scheme of its kind within Western Division and I’m certain that the Street Pastors will become a welcome sight on the streets of Bangor especially in the run up to the Christmas period, which is historically a very busy time.”
Paul Rowlinson, one of the volunteers, said on behalf of Cytûn:
“I am pleased that the churches in Bangor are able to work together and with the Gwynedd Community Safety Partnership to make a positive contribution to our city. Our volunteers are looking forward to going out and providing what we hope will be a valuable service to anyone who requires any help that we can offer them.”
The Gwynedd Community Safety Partnership (CSP) is a statutory, multi agency partnership that brings together a number of agencies including Gwynedd Council, North Wales Police (Western Division) North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Probation Wales, The Police Authority, the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and a host of other voluntary and statutory agencies with the aim of making Gwynedd a safer place to live, work and visit.
