A TAVISTOCK voluntary organisation that patrols and protects the community has received a welcome donation from the county’s police and crime commissioner (PCC).

In a bid to tackle anti-social behaviour, PCC Alison Hernandez awarded donations to 27 organisations and community groups across Devon and Cornwall — and Tavistock Street Pastors was one of the groups to be chosen.

Formed in 2009 and made up of a collection of volunteers from eight local churches, the group patrols the town on Friday and Saturday nights until 2am.

Led by local coordinator Rob Palmer, the group also has support from local churches and community groups, in partnership with the police, local council and other statutory agencies.

Mr Palmer said he was delighted that Tavistock Street Pastors was chosen to receive a grant of £750, which will go towards the maintenance of the group and expansion of volunteers.

He said: ‘With the exception of one Saturday, we have been on patrol every Saturday for the past nine years and as many Fridays as we have had volunteers to cover.

‘Some of our volunteers have started to retire and now what we are looking to do is encourage new volunteers to come forward — and this is what the money will do, recruit, equip and train volunteers to get them ready to go out so that we can carry on doing what we have been doing for the past nine years.’

Safe, resilient and connected communities are at the heart of the commissioner’s Police and Crime Plan.

The grant fund was made available for community groups and organisations on projects that will have a positive impact on antisocial behaviour and to drive locally-led initiatives to help communities help themselves.

Each year the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner provides funding to a range of organisations beyond the police to support the delivery of initiatives and programmes to keep people safe and  prevent low-level crime.

Ms Hernandez said: ‘When out and about engaging with our communities, I regularly hear that anti-social behaviour is something that affects people’s day-to-day lives.

‘While for some people this may not be a big concern, for many it affects their quality of life each and every day and I want everyone in Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly to feel safe in the areas where they live, work and play.

‘There is some great innovative work taking place across Cornwall, Devon and the Isles of Scilly and I am pleased to be able to provide support which will make these projects even more impactful.

‘I look forward to seeing how they develop in the coming year.’