Taking to the streets

Cornwall, UK - An effort to help people who are homeless, injured or drunk has church-goers taking to the streets in a number of towns in the county of Cornwall in the U.K. The "Street Pastor" scheme began in Camborne and has spread to include Torbay, Ilfracombe, Exeter, Plymouth, Newquay, Falmouth, St Austell and Truro and has spread to include towns and cities in the county of Devonshire. 

In some areas, robbery fell by a third, reported violence fell by 18%. Sexual offenses and vehicle crime also dropped markedly. Teams volunteer street pastors from area churches patrol town centers on weekend nights and are supported by local police.