A town councillor has this week called for the re-introduction of street pastors in Burnham-On-Sea to help reduce antui-social behaviour.
Cllr Janet Keen unveiled the proposals during Monday’s Town Council meeting.
It is six years since Burnham-On-Sea last had street pastors in the town centre, as we reported here at the time.
Cllr Keen told Monday’s meeting: “Our local bobby recently told us about anti-social behaviour and we thought it would be useful to start a feasibility study to see whether street pastors, who are active in other areas, would be of any help in Burnham during the peak summer season.”
“I have had a meeting with a local PC who highlighted the various hotspots based on last summer’s observations.”
She added: “Street pastors are a friend, a help – but they are not under any circumstances any aid to police tip-offs, nor are they involved involved in any religious recruitment or evangelizing.”
“They are very basically a friend at a time and a place where people are in some distress or conflict.”
She is keen to hear from anyone who has experience or knowledge of them and is especially keen to find volunteers who would be willing to come forward as co-ordinators.
Those interested in finding out more should contact the curate at St Andrew’s Church in Burnham, Rev Sharon Eldergill, or Rev Simon Bale at St John’s Church in Highbridge.
