A NEW night-time initiative to “reclaim the streets
of Cardigan for all” has been launched this week.
Called Teifi Pastors, a group of around 30 people from
various churches and chapels in the area have set up the scheme to “practise
what they preach” and offer help to anyone who needs it.
At the official launch on Thursday, town Mayor Mark
Cole said: “This project will offer a support network to help
anyone in distress. It is good to see these different denominations
coming together to practise what they preach and going out to support
people when they need it.”
He added: “There are ongoing concerns in town
with drunkenness and anti-social behaviour and this project will help
reclaim the street of Cardigan for all.”
Local police Inspector Ian Thomas said: “Many
people in the community are keen to pass comment, but not to make a
commitment to do something to help. This is a remarkable commitment
from you all.”
Teifi Pastors co-ordinator Alan Herbert said: “This
all started because some of us had concerns about how Cardigan is at
night. We took our ideas to the town meeting on the night-time-economy
last autumn and we were well received.
“We have a great concern for the way things are
going here with underage drinking, drunkenness and violence, plus other
alcohol related problems. This is our attempt to make Cardigan a better
place. We want to make the streets safe so people of all ages feel confident
about coming out at any time of night.”
He added: “We are all Christians but we are not
going out to preach, we will be there to help people. Our service is
completely confidential and we will not be reporting people to the police
or anything like that, although we may point people in the direction
of organisations that may be useful to them.”
The Pastors have joined from five churches and chapels
– New Life, Mount Zion, New Mill and St Mary’s in Cardigan;
and Capel Seion in Crymych.
Working in pairs, with four people on duty on Saturday
nights until 3.30am, Teifi Pastors will be out on the streets from April
3 offering help to anyone who needs it.
