Police Chief hails the power of prayer
22 Feb 2010
When
Inspector Roger Bartlett realised his patch had one of the poorest crime
detection rates in the area, he decided he needed help. So he asked churchgoers
to pool their efforts in calling for back-up - from God. Three years after
encouraging Christians from local churches to say prayers to help policemen,
detection rates have soared, road accidents have fallen and Mr Bartlett is
convinced it is evidence of Divine intervention. Inspector Roger Bartlett
(right) pictured with street pastors in Exeter: The policeman asked churchgoers
to pool their efforts in calling on a higher power The clear-up rate for crimes
in his force area of Barnstaple was 26 per cent, one of the lowest in the Devon
and Cornwall area.
But since he
asked for the prayers things have changed. Every quarter, the number of crimes
solved has risen, so that at its current figure - more than 40 per cent - it is
one of the highest in the country.
Mr Bartlett, 49, who is part of the leadership of the Christian Policing Team
in his area, also asked worshippers to pray for a reduction in the number of
serious or fatal road accidents - and they fell from 97 in 2007/8 to 32 in
2008/9. He also works with Street Pastors. These are Christian volunteers who
help with vulnerable or drunken people and diffuse trouble in town centres at
night.
Last night
the policeman said he was convinced that faith and prayer has had a positive
impact on policing in Barnstaple. He said he has seen his prayers answered ‘on
a number of occasions'. There was the ‘unprecedented' Hallowe'en night when
police did not have to attend a single incident of disorder.
Then there was the ‘prolific burglar' who was apprehended within three days of
the group praying that he would be caught. Mr Bartlett said ‘the most
significant answer to prayer' he had experienced relates to a fall in the
number of serious road accidents in North Devon.
He added: ‘Not only was there a 67 per cent reduction on the previous year, and
a far greater fall than any other area of the force, it was also more than 50
per cent lower than the next lowest annual figure locally.'
Assistant Chief Constable Paul Netherton of Devon and Cornwall Police said:
‘Whether you believe in the power of prayer or not, the fundamental issue is
that there are people out there caring about society.'
You can Read the story in Daily Mail Online
To learn more about STREET PASTORS go to their website http://www.streetpastors.co.uk/
