On the street…best practice

Working as a team

·     A team of four City Pastors working in pairs may patrol either side of the street but always within sight of one another. If one pair stops to attend to someone, the other pair must wait until they have finished.   (It may be appropriate for waiting pair to pray for the situation opposite.)

·     A team of three CPs should work as one unit, but should always be sensitive to the possibility of overcrowding whoever they are trying to help. 

·     Blankets, warm clothes and refreshment bags should be carried and deployed by the team as a whole, as well as dustpans and brushes for broken glass and a first aid kit.

·     The Shift Leader is responsible for the patrol. Team members must take note of their requests.

Working safely

·     Always make sure that another CP is near you as support and as a potential witness.
If male, do not deal with distressed females on your own.

·     Do not agree to give lifts home or to the hospital or to give money for taxi fares.

·     If someone is lying apparently unconscious on the ground, check first by gently moving their foot with your own.

·     If a serious incident takes place, two CPs should be sufficient to deal with the situation while others

can stand back, observe/witness, reassure onlookers, and pray.

·     If the police or marshals need to be called, Tango Victor (CCTV) can be requested to give camera cover.

·     Latex gloves should be carried and worn when dealing with broken glass and syringes. Bottles and glasses should be placed in a bin or handed to door staff if in close proximity.  Broken glass should be swept up using the dustpan and brush provided and placed in a bin or plastic bag.

·     Keep an eye out for traffic at all times.

·     Drugs - Place in a plastic bag and give to police.

·     Knives  The legal limit on folding knives is a blade of less than 3”. If you are handed a knife, then place it in a plastic bag, and give it to the police at the earliest opportunity.

·     Take care to maintain a sensible distance when dealing with potentially aggressive people.
Be aware of different forms of violence - grabbing, pushing, punching, slapping, kicking.
Stay alert for any warning attack signals. Your safety is the top priority.

·     Be aware of how you stand when talking to people. Do not fold your arms across your chest – try to hold your hands in front (as in prayer).  Stand sideways on - with one foot giving extra support behind.  Always watch your back – make sure your retreat path is clear.

For further details on handling drugs and weapons, please refer to Part two of the handbook

Working alongside other agencies

·     Contact is maintained throughout the evening by radio with the city centre CCTV (Tango Victor). All communication must be clear and concise.

·     CPs, Bath Street Marshals, Welfare team and Police meet near the Safe Bus in Orange Grove every evening at 10.30 pm to assess the situation on the streets and railway and advise on any action. A marshal and a paramedic remain with the Safe Bus until 4.30 am and those in need can be taken to them. Radio contact with the paramedic can be made on Channel 2 (see Working with radios)

·      Police: BCPs need to remain impartial and not to be seen to be in the pockets of the police.
We therefore do not give written witness statements to the police, unless it is serious or life-threatening and our evidence is absolutely essential. If this is the case, make notes of what you see as soon as practical.

·     Suicide Prevention Team / Welfare Team.  Currently attending on Friday and Saturday nights. They are usually in vicinity of BID Safe Bus,  or driving around with their vehicle.  They are on the radio network.

·     Missing Persons: Any description given must be concise and include name, physical appearance including clothing and where and when they were last seen. Descriptions may also be circulated via the radio during the evening or on the BCP WhatsApp page.

·     CCTV will report potential trouble spots during the evening and relay any requests for assistance from door staff, marshals, first aiders, CPs or police.

·     Anyone claiming rape should be advised not to go to the toilet or have a drink (including rinsing  out their mouth) until seen by police

Work underpinned by prayer

·     A prayer log is kept at the Manvers Street base where any particular topics for prayer can be recorded. These can be passed to the Prayer Pastors who support the night’s work.

·     Time will be allowed for prayer by CPs throughout the evening – before, during and afterwards.

·     If people on the street ask for prayer, CPs are free to pray with them.

·     We can explain and discuss our beliefs with those who are interested, but not engage in active proselytising.

·     “God bless you” is a useful, non-alienating phrase to use.