We are being harassed, says street preacher threatened with arrest
from Christian Today:
A street preacher threatened with arrest in London has said he feels harassed and persecuted by the police.
Pastor Dwayne Lopez, who is being supported by the Christian Legal Centre (CLC), was confronted by five police officers while preaching on Uxbridge High Street after a complaint by a member of the public.
He was told that a possible “hate crime” relating to “homophobia” had been committed, and was asked if he was aware of the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) in place on the high street. PSPOs are sets of regulations introduced by local councils usually covering anti-social behaviour.
In the exchange, captured on video and uploaded to YouTube, Lopez was threatened with arrest unless he gave his personal details.
“Currently there’s allegations of a hate crime, a public order offence, section 4a [and] allegations of homophobia,” an officer said.
“I’ve not heard anything, I’m not saying I’ve heard anything. Someone’s called us. It might be completely untrue or true.
“[But] if I do walk away and I see offences, and the victim wants to press charges … I could have failed a potential victim.”
Later, an officer tells him: “If you don’t give me your name or address I have grounds to arrest you. It’s code of practice.”
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