PCC joins Friday night patrol of Windsor town centre

Last Friday, 22 September, Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner, Matthew Barber, joined Windsor Street Angels on patrol in the town centre.

Windsor Street Angels are trained volunteers from local churches who provide help and support to people on a night out in Windsor town centre. The Street Angels operate every Friday and Saturday evening from 9.30pm till 4am. In addition to these regular patrols, the Street Angels also run Windsor Safety Hub out of Windsor Baptist Church.

Launched in 2018, the Safety Hub opens every Saturday from 10pm till 3am providing safety and support to anyone who needs it. This includes those in need of first aid or people who want somewhere safe to wait for their transport home. The police also use the hub as a comfortable place to bring victims of crime to talk to them and take statements rather than the police station.

Windsor Street Angels were recently awarded £5000 from the PCC’s Community Fund to help towards the annual running costs of the Safety Hub.

Following his patrol, Matthew said: “It was a pleasure to join the Windsor Street Angels on one of their patrols and to hear about the important work of the Safety Hub. I am pleased to have supported the hub with a £5000 grant so it can continue to be a trusted place of safety.” 

PCSO David Bullock, Windsor Street Angels Coordinator, said: “The Street Angels volunteers really appreciated Matthew Barber giving up his time to meet them and join them on patrol on Friday night and it was great to have an opportunity to discuss with him the varied role that the team have in the night time economy. Street Angels offer help to anyone in need and those who are vulnerable and since starting in 2012 it has supported over 70,000 people.

“The financial assistance that the PCC has provided Street Angels in recent years has proved invaluable and has allowed us to continue to develop and offer even greater support, especially in terms of our Night Time Safety Hub.”