Street evangelists affected by Birmingham ban

Street preachers in Birmingham have adjusted their evangelistic strategies to comply with a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) that came into force earlier this year (see this en article).

The PSPO focuses on the amplification of noise. Evangelists have ceased using PA systems or have chosen to operate outside of the area protected by the order.

A spokesperson for Birmingham City Council told en: “Birmingham is a bustling, cosmopolitan city centre, and we want everyone who lives, works and visits it to be able to enjoy what it has to offer.

“The council has not introduced this PSPO without good reason. We have received a significant and consistent number of complaints from both residents and businesses that there are too many people causing noise in the street and, despite being asked to moderate their noise levels, there has been no respite for the affected people.

“The PSPO aims to tackle the excessive noise levels caused by street preachers, buskers, and street entertainers, which have caused alarm and distress to residents and businesses.”

Among those who’ve raised concerns about the order is Dave Williams, of urban mission organisation Faithroots. According to Williams, a Christian group was fined despite complying with the restrictions. “One team in the first week after the order came into force decided that they were going to set up in the zone on the final day of their mission week,” he told en. “They were fined both because of using [a PA system] and, also, there is a separate order on distributing materials.

“Religious and political stalls are meant to be exempt as long as they don't cause an obstruction to the highway. It was determined that they did, even though their book table was placed well into the side of the walkway.”

en did not ask Birmingham City Council to provide comment on this separate order, which reads: “Any person is prohibited from distributing any materials/free literature/samples whether for their own commercial gain, or for that of another person or organisation unless they have the appropriate prior permission of the Council.

“Registered charities, religious organisations and distributors of leaflets for political purposes are exempt from this prohibition unless they carry out these activities in a manner that obstructs, or impedes the passage of any other person on, the highway.” ^[1]

Despite evangelists adapting accordingly, Williams has concerns about longer-term implications, such as the expansion of the protected area, or if new, harsher, measures are brought in.

en approached several Birmingham-based evangelical churches for comment.

1. Birmingham City Council’s Trading, Collection and Obstruction PSPO can be read in its entirety on the Council’s website; Prohibition 6 is cited as providing further details on the definition of “restricted area.”