Following on from a marvellous launch party and celebration on Friday 24th April at the Civic Centre, the first team was on the streets at 11pm on Saturday.

By all accounts the first night of operations was a great success. It was very busy in the city centre and the team received a very positive reaction from the public. The team found there was plenty for them to do, and they also were called in to help by the police, CCTV and door staff using the Licensing Link radio that they carry.

Here is a summary of the ways the team helped members of the public:
- depressed/suicidal person encouraged - relatives contacted to help him home
- very drunk man helped to make phone call for taxi and get home
- alerted CCTV to 3 girls walking home through the park - they were safely monitored until they got out the other side
- two potential fights diffused
- stopped a man taking home a woman who was protesting that she didn't know him
- met a girl (15yrs old) out on her own, but with drunk men hanging around her at 3.30am. Helped her get home safely
- over 50 bottles/glasses removed from the street
- 12 pairs flip flops given out to women who were having trouble walking on their heels

They returned to base at 4.15am - tired but excited that they had been able to help so many people. One of the team said it felt like a drop in the ocean - there is certainly a need for the work the Street Pastors are doing - at least they made a difference for the people they were able to help.

Richard Pitt