Pentecostal church challenges London street preaching ban through legal action

The Kingsborough Centre, a Pentecostal church in Uxbridge, has secured a legal victory that overturned a local ban on street preaching and religious outreach. The church challenged a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) issued by the London Borough of Hillingdon, which restricted the use of amplification equipment, the distribution of religious literature, and the display of Bible verses in the town center. The order, introduced under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act, was deemed unlawful by a court, which ruled it infringed on fundamental rights.

The church discovered the PSPO during a prayer meeting in 2023 and later confirmed it had not been consulted before its implementation. In a meeting with council officers, the church expressed concerns about the lack of transparency. The PSPO targeted activities such as preaching, leaflet distribution, and public displays of religious messages, with police warning church members that violations could result in fines or prosecution.

The Christian Legal Centre, representing the church, highlighted that messages like “Jesus Christ is Lord of Lords and King of Kings” and leaflets titled “How Can I Know God?” were specifically targeted by the PSPO. The church has long engaged in community outreach, including peace events following the 7/7 London bombings and providing services such as nurseries and affordable childcare in Hillingdon and Hounslow.

In February 2024, police questioned Pastor Dwayne Lopez and other missionaries after a public complaint objected to their use of verses from 1 Corinthians 6. Officers cited the PSPO and raised concerns about amplification and potential hate speech, though no arrests were made. Pastor Lopez, supported by the Christian Legal Centre, condemned the PSPO as a tool to suppress religious expression and called the police action unjust.

Pastor Babatunde Balogun, the church leader, stated that the congregation was “criminalized for loving our neighbor.” He emphasized that street evangelism is central to the church’s faith and community service. The restrictions, he said, created a climate of fear, undermining the church’s mission to serve and engage with the community.

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