A RECTOR who has tackled knife, gun and gang crime on the streets of South London is dealing with the aftermath of the recession in West Oxfordshire.

The Rev Toby Wright, 35, has joined the community in Witney after a spell working in the borough of Peckham.

He is team rector of Witney’s St Mary the Virgin and Holy Trinity, St John the Evangelist, in Hailey, and St John the Baptist, in Curbridge.

But although life in Oxfordshire is slightly more laid back than in the capital, Mr Wright said there are similarities between the two places.

He added: “Everyone has times of struggle in their lives, either in West Oxfordshire or South London.

“Gun and knife crime was one of the issues when I was in Peckham and I was dealing with a lot of violence.

“We spent time encouraging and reaching out to people who had lost loved ones to make sure they didn’t go down the same route.

“The issues are slightly different here. A lot of people are concerned about their jobs at the moment for example, but it’s no less important.”

Mr Wright, who was born at Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital and lived in the county for eight years as a child, said he had big plans for the town, including a street pastors programme.

He has already become the official chaplain of the New Inn pub, prime minister David Cameron’s unofficial watering hole.

Mr Wright said it was a position he relishes as he is a keen real ale drinker, and added: “It gives us a chance to reach out to as many people as we can and find out what’s going on in their lives.”

Mr Wright has moved to the town with his wife Sally, 34, who is also an ordained minister, and his two-year-old son Caspar.

He added: “It feels very much like coming home. Witney is a lovely place with a great community spirit.”