Street Pastors make it a safer Christmas

A major initiative is under way to keep Dumfries safe for residents, shoppers and party-goers this Christmas.

- SHARON LIPTROTT

The initiative was launched at commissioning service

For the first time, the town will have its own Street Pastors - following a commissioning service held in St Mary’s Church (‘The River of Life Church) on Friday.

Street Pastors is a national initiative of trained volunteers who patrol in teams of men and women, in evenings and during events, and now operate in many Scottish towns and cities.

The team forming the new Dumfries and Galloway Street Pastors - Talia Carter, Catriona Thomson, Donald Henry, Linda Carter, Terri Holroyd, Barbera McIntyre, Susan Whitehead - will have their first deployment this Friday, coinciding with this year’s Festive Friday.

Drawn from many different Christian denominations, they are described as approachable and non-judgemental - a peaceful and practical source of help and a listening, caring presence in communities, looking after anyone who is in need of support while out and about on the street.

The Duchess of Edinburgh, Sophie, patron of the Street Pastors sent a letter, which said: “I thank you wholeheartedly for volunteering to give up your time to support the community.”