Pastor arrested during street preaching faces alleged assault and public order charges

Footage has circulated online showing Steve Maile, senior pastor of Oasis City Church in Watford, being arrested while preaching outdoors this past weekend. Maile, who is in his 60s, was apprehended by three police officers in Watford and subsequently released on bail, though formal investigations into the incident continue.

Maile protested his innocence throughout the event, denying the officers’ claim that he had assaulted someone. In a later Facebook video, he described being “absolutely brutalised and victimised by the British police” and suffering “excruciating pain,” insisting the allegations are “totally false” and adding a defiant statement about continuing his ministry.

Hertfordshire Constabulary confirmed the arrest, stating Maile was released on bail pending further inquiries into the public order offense, specifically the Section 5 charge involving allegedly disorderly behavior motivated by racial or religious factors. (Micah 6:8)

The incident highlights a pattern where street preaching activities attract complaints from members of the public, leading to police interactions. (Proverbs 31:8-9)

Maile is not the first pastor to face such encounters; similar situations occurred previously involving other street ministers, often stemming from objections by non-believers. While one case involved an arrestee claiming false accusations, another recent instance saw police taking no action against a preacher citing freedom of speech.

These events underscore the ongoing tension between public demonstrations of faith and community standards, raising questions about the balance between free expression and maintaining public order.

Source: Read the original report

Source record preserved at time of reporting.