A council is abandoning legal action to clamp down on street preaching after being challenged by street preachers and Christian Concern.
In February, Rushmoor Borough Council lodged an application for an injunction targeting street preachers in Aldershot and Farnborough town centres.
The Council has confirmed that, following meetings with local faith leaders, it has withdrawn plans to secure an injunction. It said legal action was not intended to stop peaceful preaching or to restrict freedom of speech, but was “intended to address aggressive and antisocial behaviours”.
However it said it may take legal action against individuals in the future if necessary. The Council added: “Concerned faith leaders agreed to work with the Council to help eradicate anti-social behaviour relating to ‘aggressive’ street preaching and to discuss drawing up a voluntary code of conduct.”
If the original injunction as drafted had been approved by the court, street preachers would have been prohibited from: praying for someone in the town without permission; approaching anyone to engage them about religion or belief; singing or using amplifiers.
Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, said: “Rushmoor Borough Council’s attempt to silence Christian street preachers represents a significant and deeply troubling attack on freedom of speech and religious expression.
