Christian Street Pastors receiving £15,000 to tackle street problems sparked fierce debate this week.

Residents said they feared public money was being used to recruit more Christians and called for improved policing instead.

Stephen Evans, of Loubet Street in Tooting, said: “With Church attendance in free fall I suspect that this is an attempt to make Christianity appear relevant. Their ultimate aim is to proselytise and deliver people to Jesus. This is what Evangelicals see as their duty - and this is not proper use of public money.

“I'd like to see money go to local community groups who come together over local issues rather than religions affiliation.”

But other residents voiced their support, and the Street Pastors said they had been misunderstood as preaching was against their rules.

Gabi Hofer, coordinator of the Wandsworth branch, said: “It's specifically taught within the training course that you are not to approach people with that. Only if they ask about Christianity can you talk about it."

She added the Pastors were non-judgemental of people’s life choices and the aim was to care for people and provide a listening ear.

Street Pastors receive £10,000 from the council and £5,000 from the police to patrol Balham and Wandsworth, with plans for Tooting and Battersea in the new year.

The scheme, run nationally by the Ascension Trust, runs with volunteers from all Church denominations, with money spent on rucksacks, uniforms and training.

Volunteers in Wandsworth often work at night, waiting with people until their bus comes, offering flip flops to women tired of wearing stilettos and giving directions to the local cab office.

They run independently of the police but for their own safety only operate in groups of four, letting officers know when they start and finish their patrols.

All Pastors must have a criminal record check, and are trained in counselling skills, drugs awareness, sociology and street safety.

Inspector Diane Northway of Wandsworth Police said: “It's another resource we can use in the community. We have the Safer Neighbourhood Team and the Street Pastors fill in a different role. It's not their role to preach. They're providing assistance to vulnerable people and listening to them.”

Councillor Edward Lister added: “I think most people would welcome the street pastors as a thoroughly worthwhile and public-spirited initiative by our local churches.”

Only Christians are allowed to be Street Pastors, but Les Isaac, director of the Ascension Trust is in talks with other faith groups about setting up their own Pastor groups.

Farouk Mohammed, vice president at the Tooting Islamic Centre, said: “We also have youngsters working with the police at our centre, but we would definitely like to get involved in this. It’s a good gesture and everything that is good in the community should be encouraged.”

For more information contact Gabi Hofer on 077 69659595 or email wandsworth@streetpastors.org.uk.