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If you bump into a someone wearing baggy clothing and a baseball cap late at night in central Kingston, don't be alarmed.

Chances are they could be one of 20 volunteers from 10 Kingston churches who will be patrolling the streets after dark several days a week from mid-June. Dressed in distinctive blue jackets, the wardens are following in the footsteps of a scheme set up by the Ascension Trust in Brixton in 2003.

"They are there to calm the atmosphere," said Derek Winsor, a former magistrate and member of the United Reformed Church (URC) on Eden Street, which is helping to run the scheme. "Street pastors are totally non-aggressive. Two thirds of Kingston's street pastors are women, and have been trained in street safety, first aid, drugs awareness and homeless issues. They will work in small teams with the police's support, and will be in contact with them by mobile phone. They have the uniform as well, and just walking up to a group can be enough to diffuse a situation."

The scheme is funded from many sources including Kingston Council and the 10 churches taking part: the URC, Kings Church on Kingston's Fife Road; New Malden Methodists, Community Church and Christ Church in Surbiton; the Greater Life Church, His Church, St George's, St Peter's in Norbiton, and Our Lady Immaculate in Tolworth. Start-up costs for the first year total £25,000, of which £13,000 is still needed.

1:21pm Friday 5th May 2006

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