Agenda item

(a)  Street Angels

(b)  Your Sanctuary

(c)  Surrey Police and Crime Panel

Karen Kendall gave a presentation on the work of the Camberley Street Angels, including a podcast on Street Angels operating on the High Street Camberley during the evening economy.

The presentation focussed on recruitment, training and equipping of Street Angels, the scenarios in which they regularly operated and the way that they dovetailed with other initiatives and in particular with Surrey Police during the evening economy on Fridays and Saturdays.

Street Angels, supported, trained and managed by Churches Together, Camberley, are non-judgemental and supportive to people in distress. Operating with a rota of 4 volunteers every Friday and Saturday evening, the Street Angels were currently recruiting new volunteers to add to the 35 – 40 already in place.

Members reported personal experiences of the tremendous work and calming influence of the Street Angels, from clearing night life detritus to providing flip-flops to bare footed revellers, to staying with seriously ill or injured people until medical help was on hand. A big part of their role was to talk to revellers and take the heat out of often alcohol fuelled situations.

Combined with the evening road closures, taxi marshals and the firm approach of the Neighbourhood Police Team, the Street Angels made a major contribution to revellers being able to safely enjoy the nightlife in Camberley High Street and the rest of the Town Centre, with related crime and in particular incidences of violence, continuing to show a downward trend.

Members voiced their strong support for the current and continued efforts of the Street Angels and considered ways in which the Council could assist, particularly in terms of publicity.

RESOLVED, that the presentation be noted and that Officers be asked to consider possible vehicles for promoting the Street Angels, including Heathscene and social media.

For the record Councillor Paul Deach reported that he had previously provided media coverage for both Churches Together Camberley and the Street Angels.