by Lydia Davies, Premier
A group of street preachers are challenging what they believe is an unprecedented legal attempt by Rushmoor Borough Council to restrict Christian evangelism in public spaces.
The proposed injunction, which has since been paused, aimed to ban prayer, preaching, singing, and handing out Christian literature in Aldershot and Farnborough town centres, unless individuals had prior permission.
The injunction, drafted under anti-social behaviour legislation, cited concerns over “alarm and distress” and included strict measures such as prohibiting the laying on of hands in prayer and even engaging others in religious discussion.
Breaching the injunction could carry penalties including fines or up to two years in prison.
With the support of the Christian Legal Centre and local politicians, the preachers succeeded in halting the injunction before it could be enforced.
The council has now said it will revisit and revise the proposal.
Street preachers argue that while a small minority may be overly zealous, the majority offer valuable support to the homeless and vulnerable and peacefully share the gospel, a tradition long protected in the UK.
They say the council’s action disproportionately targets Christian expression and fails to recognise the positive impact of public ministry.
One preacher said: “I thought that it must have been a mistake and that someone at the council, who is very anti-Christian, must have produced this or it must be incompetence.
“But then we found out that the council has been working on this for two years.”