During a shift patrol in March, the Street Pastors came across three boys who appeared to be under the age of 18.
The group was gathered in a busy area of the city centre, and their behaviour, combined with their appearance, raised concerns. The Street Pastors approached the boys in a calm manner and engaged them in conversation to assess the situation.
During the interaction, it became evident that they were indeed underage and did not have a safe or appropriate plan for the night. The team also noted signs of nervousness and unease, which further increased safeguarding concerns. Recognising the potential risk, the Street Pastors prioritised the safety of the young people and made the decision to contact the police for appropriate support.
While waiting for officers to arrive, they remained present and attempted to keep the boys engaged in conversation. However, before the police arrived, two of the boys suddenly left the scene and ran off despite efforts to encourage them to stay.
The Street Pastors did not pursue them but instead focused on the remaining boy, ensuring he was safe and supported. When the police arrived, the Street Pastors provided a clear handover, explaining the situation and the concerns identified.
The remaining boy stayed at the scene and was taken into the care of the police, who later took the boy home safely. Every week, our Street Pastors are out in Nottingham helping people stay safe, supported, and seen.
If you would like to be part of this work and help make a difference in your community, find out more about joining Nottingham Street Pastors here.