Street pastors reach out to young people in Peebles
'We are there to listen, to care, and to help'
It's hoped a new team of street pastors can provide a reassuring presence in Peebles - and help make the streets safer.
Six new volunteers have been commissioned during a special service at the town's Evangelical Church.
It follows the success of a year-long trial, which was launched amid concerns over a spate of anti-social behaviour in the area.
The Reverend Arthur Hembling is chairman of Borders Street Pastors. He told Greatest Hits Radio: "One of the issues with Peebles was they were having a lot of problems with young people, and I think Peebles is an area where there's not a lot to do for young people, especially at night. So the idea is to engage with these young people, to try to encourage them, to talk with them about any problems that they might have.
"It's surprising, that even in affluent areas, they carry a lot of issues - mental health issues, issues with family, stuff that happens at school; and often they've no-one to talk to. And so street pastors are there to listen, to care, to help."
The volunteers, who are linked to local churches, are already a familiar sight in Galashiels and Hawick.
They're known for handing out lollipops and flipflops to people on nights out to help diffuse any tension and make them feel more comfortable.
Rev Hembling added: "Police don't really have time to stand and talk to people, they're there to keep the peace and uphold the law; whereas street pastors can sit down and have a cup of tea, they can have a chat with somebody, and they have that time to help that person."
Police in the Borders are welcoming the new appointments.
Inspector Robbie Noble revealed he's worked with the volunteers in other towns and witnessed first hand the difference they can make.
He said: "There was a tragic story, just before they started in Galashiels, where a young man had died from hypothermia - maybe if extra people had been on the street he might have been found."
And he added: "I've been stopped by street pastors who were speaking to somebody who was on the phone to another friend who was wanting to commit suicide that night, so we were very quickly able to get help."
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