The Thames Valley police and crime commissioner has awarded 13 street pastors across the Thames Valley area over £40,000 of additional funding. 

Matthew Barber, police and crime commissioner for the Thames Valley, has announced £46,000 of funding for 13 Street Pastors organisations across the Thames Valley. 

The funding, which has been awarded through the PCC’s Community Fund, will be split across 13 Street Pastors based in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Milton Keynes and Oxfordshire. 

Matthew said: “The support that Street Pastors across Thames Valley provide to the police is invaluable.

"Over the last year, I have been out on patrol with a number of street pastors and have seen first-hand how they successfully work in collaboration with Thames Valley Police and local businesses to help create a positive atmosphere for those having a night out, offering support to individuals by providing practical assistance to keep people safe.

“I am therefore delighted to be able to provide £46,000 of core funding to help support the vital role each of these organisations play in keep our communities safe across Thames Valley.” 

Neville Burt, chairman of Wallingford Street Pastors, said: “We at Wallingford Street Pastors sometimes wonder if we will be able to continue or even if we are still needed.

"Our clients, the night-time community, and the Police, keep telling us how much we are valued, so we are delighted that the PCC's Community Fund have decided to contribute to our costs, which should strengthen the relationship and enable us to continue for the foreseeable future."

Jeanette Lock, chair of Maidenhead Street Angels, said: “This generous grant will help in our recruitment drive as we aim to attract more Angels to our team of volunteers.

"With many changes taking place in Maidenhead town, we want to try and increase our Street Angel presence and continue to serve our local community”.

Rachel Mozley, founder of Wycombe Street Angels, said: “Street Angels in High Wycombe are so excited to receive funding from the PCC's Community Fund.

"It's given us a real boost to be valued and encouraged in this way. I don't think people realise just how amazing it is to be a Street Angel; it's extremely humbling because of the level of trust that gets bestowed on us plus it’s fun.

"It truly is a blessing being used by God out on the streets. Here's to many more shifts and many more Street Angel groups being started across our land.”

Street Pastor volunteer groups provide demand reduction support to Thames Valley Police and prevent escalation of violence, while improving the safety of vulnerable people by assisting them to safety.

The groups vary in how they operate and their size, so the decision is to distribute £46,000 of funding across three tiers of group, based on the town/city they are located in.

The Community Fund supports voluntary and community groups that help to prevent crime and keep communities safe. Money for the scheme comes from the sale of items seized from criminals that cannot be returned to their rightful owners.