A team of Street Pastors in Dover have begun their patrols armed with first aid kits and lollipops as they help people who have had too much to drink.
 

They will give support and assistance to vulnerable people who may have had too much to drink.

The commissioning ceremony for the first  Dover Street Pastors took place at Dover Town Hall and was attended by between 100 and 150 people and was followed by an inaugural patrol where a team of volunteers took to the streets.

During their patrol they met with landlords and door staff and helped a member of the public at Dover train station.

A team of four Street Pastors in uniforms sponsored by the Dover District Community Safety Partnership, will patrol the streets every Saturday night, from 10pm until 3am.

The Street Pastors will be armed with first aid kits and lollipops to keep people quiet as they travel home, flip flops to give out to those struggling to walk in high heels and spikeys – which are gadgets to help prevent drinks from being spiked.

As well as the safety partnership backing the scheme it is also supported by Kent Police, Dover District Council, Dover Town Council, Dover Rotary Club, Dover churches and individual church members.

Street Pastors is an international, inter-denominational initiative, pioneered in London in 2003.

Hawkinge Gazette and Channel Coast News 2011©