Street preaching injunction application paused in face of challenge
Rushmoor Borough Council has paused its efforts to pursue an injunction banning street preaching in two town centres after being challenged by a Christian legal campaign group.
The council issued its application for an injunction last month pursuant to section 22 of the Local Government Act 1972 and sections 1 and 2 of the Anti-social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014.
The injunction application concerned 'persons unknown' and was intended to "restrict the behaviour of persons preaching" within the town centres of Aldershot and Farnham.
The draft injunction order seen by Local Government Lawyer sought to ban street preachers from using any equipment to amplify their voice, play music or other sounds, or "sing, shout or scream" at anyone.
It also sought to ban "praying, whether with outstretched arms or otherwise, for anyone visiting, working or living within the town centres of Aldershot and Farnborough [...] without their prior permission".
In addition, it aimed to ban street preachers from engaging in any preaching which is "hostile towards anyone with the protected characteristic of age, disability, gender reassignment, pregnancy, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation".
"For the avoidance of doubt, this includes but is not limited to using any language which is homophobic, sexist, racist or disablist, for example telling someone they are going to hell because they are gay or telling someone they are disabled or ill because they do not believe in god", the application added.
Furthermore, it pursued a ban on preachers approaching anyone for the purposes of engaging them in discussions about religion or belief, touching anyone without their prior permission, including laying hands on them in prayer and handing out leaflets or posters to passers-by.
A hearing was set to take place on 7 March at Aldershot and Farnham County Court.
However, the proceedings were paused after the Christian Legal Centre questioned the injunction application.
The council said it is now planning to consult local faith leaders before reviewing the injunction.
Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, described the proposed injunction as "disproportionate and unlawful", adding: "We will challenge any other legislation the council tries to bring in which attempts to silence and criminalise the Christian faith."
A spokesperson for Rushmoor Borough Council said the local authority began the action in response to a "significant number of complaints from residents and businesses about the behaviour of some street preachers in Farnborough and Aldershot town centres over nearly two years".
It added: "The council would like to emphasise that we understand the sensitive nature of this issue and the legal action is not intended to prevent peaceful groups of any faith, including Christianity, from preaching, or in any way prevent freedom of speech.
"The council is committed to reviewing the proposed injunction and we will shortly be meeting with a group of faith and community group leaders, who we consult with regularly, on a range of different issues, to help us with this process."
Adam Carey
