STREET pastors in Newton Abbot and Torbay received a welcome boost in the form of a £1,700 cheque.

The donation was presented at a meeting held in Torquay attended by more than 40 people.

The cash was raised at a charity golf day organised by Torquay-based Bettesworths chartered surveyors.

Directors Matt and Paul Bettesworth, handed the donation to Dixie Kendall Dunn, a trustee of Torquay and Newton Abbot Street Pastors.  

The organisation sends teams out onto the streets of Torquay and Newton Abbot to patrol on foot at night in distinctive uniforms to help and care for people in practical ways.

Dixie said the donation was appreciated and that the cash would help to meet the rising costs of running the ongoing operation.

Being a self funding charitable body, there is an urgent need for finance to fund its work.  

Inspector Ian Stevens emphasised the value of Street Pastors especially when working In tandem with the police, the NHS, the local authority and the night time door staff.

He said they are respected by the police who are grateful for their work often allowing them to attend to more urgent matters.

He said: ‘What the Street Pastors do on a regular basis is nothing short of  incredible. We are grateful to have the level of support and as a result we are seeing crime levels drop.’