Church Engagement
This page is intended to be a resource page for local churches within the peninsula of Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
Street Pastors Initiative 
The Street Pastors initiative is being run in various communities within the force area. There are also exciting opportunities for this to increase soon... as God leads. The Torbay Street Pastors initiative produce newsletters of their work. Those newsletters are available by clicking this link.
If you would like further information about street pastors then either contact us or visit the National Street Pastors website.
Street Pastors Seminar 120209
On Thursday 12th February, the Devon & Cornwall Branch of the Christian
Police Association hosted a seminar at Police HQ in Exeter aimed at
encouraging members of the Christian Communities across the force area to
consider forming Street Pastor teams (www.streetpastors.org.uk)
37 towns were invited. 63 delegates attended representing 27 towns across
the force area of which 22 do not have a Street Pastor or similar scheme.
Members of the teams already running in Ilfracombe, Torquay, Plymouth,
Camborne & Exmouth shared from their experience about what SP's are about,
how they can make a difference, how to get a team up and running, funding,
training, linking with partner agencies and co-ordinating prayer support.
Also present were representatives from Devon County Council, Probation
Service (representing the Safer Devon Partnership) and Cornwall Drug and
Alcohol Action Team.
Two SP co-ordinators from Bath and Weston-Super-Mare and a Police Sergeant
from Avon & Somerset were present and left committed to running a similar
event for towns across the whole of Avon and Somerset Force area.
Both ACC Paul Netherton and DCC Tony Melville came to give their endorsement
to the scheme and encourage those present to press on in the knowledge of
the full support of the police. Inspector Pete Willingham also shared his
experience in Plymouth about the positive impact SP's had made there. At the
end of the meeting, the vast majority of those present felt strongly that
street pastors was for their town and that they were leaving with a clear
understanding of what they needed to do next to make it happen.
In addition to those present three towns intended to be represented and are
very eager to progress the initiative but were unable to attend due to last
minute illness. A further three towns who did not attend are already making
good progress towards street pastors anyway. Indeed only four towns that we
believe would be large enough to sustain a team across the force area are
not yet engaged.
The feedback from those who attended the day has been overwhelmingly
positive. Here are some comments we have already received:
'It was an inspiring day' - Newton Abbot
'To have the backing and endorsement of the police is a real boost'. -
Exeter
'Thank you so much for the really excellent day.' - Totnes
'It was great to be with so many who have a passion not just for The Lord
but to see their communities changed and who are actually willing to do
something about it'. - Plymouth
Just wanted to commend you for organising such a rip-roaringly good day.
Massive amounts to think about and great value for money - especially as it
was free! - Dawlish
'Fantastic day well done God be praised. I had great conversations with
people through out day and people who came cynical left sold!' - Camborne
Other Church Engagement
Listed below are various activities that we are involved in, and practical ways that Churches can support the Police in their everyday work.
Here is a PowerPoint slide of suggested topics. Click on the slide to maximise the size.
Churches Letter
This is a copy of a letter that we have sent to Churches within the Peninsula.
Prayer for the Police
More details to follow - contact us if you need more information
Adopt a Cop!
Nationally there is a campaign for local churches and Christians to 'Adopt a Cop'. The aim is that local Churches engage with their local Police Officers and PCSOs and pray for them. A very simple concept I am sure you will agree! So ... read on!
‘Adopt a Cop’ is a project aimed at strengthening links between the police and the local community. It aims to present to the Christian public the human face of the Police Service one not seen by most people whose only contact with the police may be in confrontational or media-led situations. Matt Baggott, the Chief Constable of Leicestershire (and lead on Neighbourhood Policing) described it like this:
"Over the years I have come to see just how important the relationship between local churches and policing can be in restoring hope and reducing crime in our neighbourhoods. Mutual encouragement, appropriate support and individual friendships are all very powerful ways of transforming lives."
If you would like more information about this project please use the 'Contact Us' page. We have resources available should you wish to use them in your local communities and Churches.