Wantage and Grove Street Pastors is part of a national team first pioneered in London in 2003 and continues to grow throughout the UK and across the world.

Street pastors are trained volunteers from local churches who care about people and our local community. We patrol on most Friday and Saturday nights in Wantage and Grove to care for, listen to and help people who are out on the streets at night. We have been patrolling since 2009 and have made a significant contribution to making our streets safer at night and helping to reduce certain types of crime.

On the streets we’re known for two things; flip-flops and lollipops! We give flip-flops to ladies that have given up on their shoes. This not only makes their journey home more comfortable but helps to prevent them walking in broken glass and needing a hospital visit. We also give out lollypops, partly as a way of saying hello: but this also puts some sugar back in the bloodstream, which helps to reduce confusion and aggression in those that have consumed lots of alcohol.

We are supported by local churches and community groups in partnership with the police, local council and other statutory agencies. We are also a partner in the Wantage and Grove Community Alcohol Partnership, which aims to reduce under-age consumption of alcohol and associated anti-social behaviour.

For more information check out our website, facebook page or have a read of our latest monthly report.