Faith

As a founder of Street Pastors, Les Isaacs is very clear about who they are, and what they do.

They're Christians who are prepared to be out on the street at all hours, ready to help anyone in any state: lost, drunk, drugged, depressed.

They're there to listen, he insists, and to care for, and to signpost people to further help. "It's about hope. We're not there to beat people with a 4x4 Bible".

Les has been working on the streets himself for over five years. He'll tell you about the drug dealer who saluted him: "Keep up the good work, Pastor". 

Then there's the time he took then-Conservative leader Michael Howard on his round, to hear youngsters assert "when we see them walking on the street we see God walking on the street".

There are Street Pastors in a hundred different locations now, from Cornwall up to Scotland - with sixty more projects in the pipeline. They only go where invited, and Derby's issued that invitation.

A key character in the launch was Alasdair Kay, director of Derby City Mission, who is a great admirer of the scheme, and who will play a big part in its local operation.

Detective Superintendent Andy Hough, also at the launch, is another admirer. He's a man with special responsibilities for dealing with gangs, violence and drugs in the city, and sees Street Pastors helping to fill the gap between enforcement and prevention.

You should be able to see them in action for yourself by early Spring. They're recruiting now. Street Pastors. They might just be someone's angels.