Volunteers Sign Up For City’s Pioneering Street Pastors Scheme

Street pastors could soon be helping to tackle antisocial behaviour in Perth after eight volunteers signed up to join the pioneering project.

Retired businessman Michael Archibald is hoping to launch Scotland’s first street pastor scheme to cut alcohol-fuelled incidents in the Fair City.

Volunteers will be trained to take to the streets in pairs each weekend between 11pm and 4am, with the aim of helping people in difficulties and defusing trouble before it starts.

The initiative, which was first used in Jamaica to tackle gang culture, has been employed in London, Manchester and Birmingham and could be rolled out in Scottish cities if a Perth pilot scheme is considered a success.

Mr Archibald said no date had yet been set for getting pastors out on the streets but it is hoped the volunteers will soon be able to start training.

Many of those who have shown an interest so far are local ministers, but anyone can sign up to help.

Mr Archibald, a retired chartered accountant and member of North Church, said: “We’re not just a bunch of do-gooders who think we can change the world, but we do think there is a need for trained volunteers working in the city centres to interact with the public and provide a listening ear or a helping hand.

“The majority of trouble arises from alcohol-fuelled aggression or sheer frustration and if we can help to diffuse any potential flashpoints by talking to them and calming down heated situations then it’s a worthwhile role.

“We’re not going out to preach. We aim to build bridges with the community and let the Friday and Saturday night crowds know that they can talk to us and trust us.”

Mr Archibald, who is looking to recruit another four volunteers before launching the scheme, admitted Perth is not the worst Scottish city when it comes to street crime but said it would prove a good testing ground for the street pastors initiative.

The international scheme’s creator, the Rev Les Isaacs, recently visited Perth and said the city centre was suitable for a Scottish pilot scheme, and the initiative has received some support from police and publicans.

Perth-based Tayside Police divisional commander, Chief Superintendent Matt Hamilton, said he welcomed the street pastor initiative in principle.

“Although Perth has far fewer street crime issues than most other large cities in Scotland, we do welcome any properly co-ordinated schemes to help police tackle the unpredictable nature of alcohol-fuelled violence and disorder,” he said.

“We’re happy to support any initiative that reduces crime and antisocial behaviour and welcome the street pastors concept, provided there is appropriate risk assessment made for the safety of everyone involved.”

Grant Ross, assistant manager of the Foundry bar in Murray Street, agreed Perth was not the worst city for antisocial behaviour and thought the new scheme might help keep it that way. The Foundry is a member of the Pubwatch scheme.

Mr Ross said: “I haven’t heard of the (street pastor) scheme but anything that stops trouble on the streets is worth looking at. Perth is probably a good place to try it, to see if it could then work in a place with more trouble.”

Mr Archibald will now approach the Scottish Executive, councils, police and other interested organisations for help with costs.