Mike Freeman, a Stamford Street Pastor and former Chief Inspector, led a team of over a hundred street and response pastors in London this weekend for the coronation. 

Mike, who retired from the Police in 2000, supported the Coronation celebrations in London this weekend in his capacity as a Stamford Street Pastor.

After 30 years of service in the Police, Mike is far from done with hitting the streets, and this weekend guided a group of over 100 volunteers and street pastors as they supported the Coronation festivities.

Mike said "It was great to get set up our briefing room in Central Hall, Westminster (opposite the Abbey)."

This is where the group achieved a 'global record' of deploying 103 Street Pastors in Westminster on the occasion of the King's Coronation.

He described the "great atmosphere... especially of those camping out."

Mike also led the team who went to London to support the crowds for the Queen's lying in state and then the funeral procession in 2022.

Scenes in London on Saturday 6 May 2022. Image credit: Mike Freeman.

Prior to this, Mike received a 'recognition award' from the charity Ascension Trust in 2018 for setting up a network of Response Pastors across the country. 

A Response Pastor is a Street Pastor who has received additional training to support those affected by a disaster or crisis.

Stamford Street Pastors launched in 2011 and has continued to grow, with volunteers becoming familiar faces on the streets of the town on a Saturday night.

The volunteers come from a range of denominations and churches across the town, all committed to helping, listening and caring to those who find themselves in vulnerable positions late on a Saturday night. 

Since Street Pastors began patrolling Stamford has seen a reduction in crime and anti-social behaviour. The group work in partnership with the Police, Local Authority, Town Council and others such as the late night pubs and clubs.

Mike, Mark, Yvette and Judith patrolling in Stamford. Image credit: Alan Walters.

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