A TEAM of street pastors have begun work across Redbridge to offer advice and guidance to some of the borough's most vulnerable people.
Redbridge Street Pastors, an inter-denominational Christian group made up of trained volunteers from several different churches, was launched at Ilford Town Hall last Friday.
The team is one of more than 100 across England which patrol town centres and 'problem areas' from 10pm until 4am on certain nights of the week.
A Redbridge Police spokeswoman said: "Figures show that the Street Pastor initiative can mean up to a 95 per cent decrease in crime in a given location.
"At Ilford Town Hall, bible readings, prayers and hymns were followed by endorsements from the Deputy Mayor, Cllr Brian Lambert, Chief Inspector Bill Brame, Reverend Paul Harcourt, and Alan Drake, Manager of LBR ASB, Licensing and Trading Standards.
"A cheque for £445.00 was presented to Monica Abdala Coordinator of Redbridge Street Pastors by Sergeant Douglas Fyfe of the Loxford Safer Neighbourhoods Team, Redbridge Police, to finance Street Pastor kitbags and equipment.
"After a Q&A session, the new Redbridge Street Pastors proceeded to Valentines House, where they were briefed by Matt Wixey an officer on the Loxford Safer Neighbourhoods Team before heading out on their first patrol."
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