Street Pastors was launched in High Barnet on 23 November 2006 at a Public reception in Chipping Barnet Library with tremendous success. Months before this event even took place, a 'core group' of believers from a variety of churches in High Barnet met up to pray, strategically plan and 'dream out loud' a vision for establishing the work of Street Pastors in Barnet. Our desire was to see a reduction of crime on our streets and to care for the disadvantaged and lonely, working in partnership with the local police, encouraging unity in our churches and making a stand against the violence, anti-social behaviour and fear of crime dominating our streets and neighbourhoods we so often hear about in the news. It was time to move.
 
A team of 15 Street Pastors was recruited from 4 different churches across the Borough and began training in March 2007. Our first patrol took place in April 2007 and since then support has grown from people in a wide variety of churches. We have been much helped by a very supportive Safer Neighbourhood Police team in Barnet - particularly Inspector Davies and Sgt. Gambrill - giving us excellent backing and encouragement. We could not have done this without them. Furthermore, the level of confidence and safety this has brought to the team has been priceless.
 
We focus on the High Street in Barnet on Friday nights and are now exploring other neighbouring areas on Saturday afternoons and evenings. Every time we assemble to 'hit the streets' the prayer team stay at 'HQ' and pray while we are out. It is the power of God that has transformed lives, kept violence at bay and given rise to some amazing opportunities to talk with people and be there 'in the right place at the right' time for our neighbours. This is indeed a privilege.
 
At present, the team is continuing to expand and we are encouraged by the sense of unity we see among believers in many different churches, together with an excellent working partnership with the police. Exciting times ahead!