Would a scheme like this work in Christchurch ?

By Com_Publisher | Friday, December 03, 2010, 18:10

ANGELS HELP KEEP PEOPLE SAFE IN BOSCOMBE

Would a scheme like the Boscombe Angels work in a town like ours ?

A team of volunteers offered support to vulnerable people in

Boscombe at the weekend. And during the summer they contributed to a 21

per cent drop in the number of reported incidents of anti-social

behaviour.

The Boscombe Angels

are volunteers from the Churches Together in Boscombe group and they

have given up their time at weekends to help make communities safer.

Seventeen members of

the team were out in Boscombe at the weekend, where they supported

members of the public by talking to and listening to them, helping them

into taxis, picking up drinks bottles from the pavement and providing a

reassuring presence in the town.

The Boscombe Angels

worked on a pilot scheme to engage with the community in Southbourne

between June and August this year. This led to positive feedback from

residents and contributed to a 21 per cent reduction in the number of

calls to Dorset Police about anti-social behaviour compared to the

previous year.

Sergeant Guy

Nicholas, of the East Cliff, Springbourne and Boscombe West Safer

Neighbourhood Team, said: “From our point of view it’s great because

they’re getting involved in their community and taking a bit of pride in

Boscombe. It makes life so much easier for us all whilst helping to

forge safer communities.”

Neil Houlton, one of

the Boscombe Angels, said: “We feel that it’s something we should be

doing, because for us, it’s the face of the church in the community. It

means that we’re not just seen as being behind our church door; we’re

actually out communicating with the community. We’re finding out what

their problems and needs are and, hopefully, when we’re out we’re able

to help them.”

A similar scheme in

Halifax has led to a significant reduction in reports of violent and

sexual crime since it was set up in 2005.

The Boscombe Angels provide reassurance and guidance to anyone in need, and can, in some instances, administer first aid.

Would a scheme like this work in Christchurch ? Do you think we even need a scheme like this ? Please leave your comments in the box below for other Christchurch people to see what you think.

The Boscombe Angels will be patrolling Boscombe on a number of Friday and Saturday nights in the future. To find out more email: boscombeangels@gmail.com.

To find out more about your local Safer Neighbourhood Team call Dorset Police on 01202 222222 or 01305 222222, or click HERE

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Comments

rev yates obv not visible enough then is he, A ----I DONT READ THE ECHO and B---- I HAVE NEVER SEEN THEM IN TOWN OR SURROUNDING AREA. so the answer would be no it does not work as people are unaware he is doing it and have not seen them arround.

By bethsmum at 14:01 on 08/12/10
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Christchurch has had the benefiit of this activity for some years now. It is run under the banner of the Multi Agency Youth Outreach, which is more commonly known as "MAYO". The initiative is headed by the Rev. Mike Yates and his team. The team of volunteers go out every Friday night in Christchurch, and sometimes they go a little further afield.

Rev. Yates and his team have been active members of Operation Protect which has been carried out in Christchurch during the summer months.

To answer the question "Will this work in Christchurch?", yes it does, and it has been working for some considerable time, and I am suprised that contributors to this website, and the website itsself are not aware of the current funding campaigns to ensure that MAYO can continue well into the future. The Bournemouth Echo recently went out with Rev. Yates and his team, and they ran a story in the Echo of the events of that night.

By pactman at 13:33 on 08/12/10
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its not just for crime , its to help people and we do have more than our fair share of the elderly. i for one who have had a few who dont look or see the car or even possibly want to give up on living walk out infrount of my or a friends car, angels would hopefully stop this as they would see the person needed help or would sit and listen to them, a lot of which are very lonely. i used to be a driver for a supermarket and my heart went out to most of my elderly customers. so for them i would vote yes we need them. lets think of others in this equation its not just what effects us but those arround us. such as elderly and the young. x

By bethsmum at 23:07 on 07/12/10
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Well, I suppose it helps the police. Is this part of the government's Big Society idea - policing on the cheap? There was a big drum roll when the community support officers werre introduced. It increases police 'visibility' but they're pretty powerless. How long before an 'angel' gets into trouble for helping out? And what about insurance?

By alfiebass at 18:45 on 07/12/10
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why just church goers, not all who dont go to church dont care. i like to think i do my part, give directions help old people over the road or to car with shopping, took a lady home who walked out infrount of my car even though i was pretty shaken but did not wantg her doing it again did i. just cos people dont go to church does not mean they would not like to do somehting like this.the most horrid people i have met are church goers which is why i dont go. its not the values i have or i want my children to have that i have recieved off them.
market day with a influx of older people and hope fully they wont walk out in frount of cars , weekend evenings and nights for pub let out. other than that i dont see the need. we in christchurch can help if we are needed i know im not the only one to spot someone and make an offer of help.

By bethsmum at 20:08 on 03/12/10
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