Quiet night on the town for pastors

Volunteers on the streets of Maidstone town centre on Saturday night say they were uncertain of what to expect from the first night of reopened pubs following lockdown.

Two groups from the Maidstone Street Pastors were out and about offering emotional support and assistance to those who needed it during their night out.

The evening patrol began earlier than usual at 9pm, following a briefing and distribution of personal protective equipment, including hand sanitiser, face masks and latex gloves.

Nigel Downes, coordinator of Maidstone Street Pastors, said: “There was an air of uncertainty as to whether the town was going to be heaving and disruptive, or reasonably peaceful. “Pleased to say in general it was the latter. We were fortunate in that we could have two teams out, something we have not done for many a year. “Some pubs didn’t seem to have any sort of socially distancing in the venue. It was noted they were rather full with lots of people walking around and drinking.

“The Muggleton Inn and The Brenchley had queues which seemed to be managed well.” Pastors were called to minor incidents during their patrols, but overall it was deemed to be a relatively quiet night and with the nightclubs closed - they signed off at midnight.

Also in town on Saturday night was the Urban Blue Bus, which is deployed in Maidstone at the weekend to relieve pressure on the ambulance and A&E services.

The bus was set up at its new regular location on Week Street at the junction with Fremlin Walk and Earl Street from 8pm until midnight, leaving an hour earlier than planned as things were so trouble-free.

Val Jacobs, senior trustee and bus manager, reported a quiet night for the service - with only a group of 18-year-olds who had a little too much to drink to look after before their parents came to pick them up.

She said: “We were not really sure what to expect, but we do think it will get busier in the coming weeks.”