UK Council Faces Backlash Over Proposed Ban on Street Preaching and Bible Distribution

In early 2025, Rushmoor Borough Council in Hampshire, UK, proposed an injunction aimed at restricting certain public religious activities in the town centers of Farnborough and Aldershot. The proposed measures sought to ban activities such as preaching, praying, singing, and distributing Christian literature, including Bibles, in public spaces. The council cited numerous complaints from residents and local businesses regarding noise disturbances and messages perceived as offensive or distressing .​

Under the draft injunction, individuals would have been prohibited from:​

• Praying for others without their prior consent
• Distributing religious leaflets or Bibles by hand
• Laying hands on individuals in prayer, even with their permission
• Approaching individuals to discuss religion
• Preaching messages that could be perceived as hostile toward protected characteristics such as age, gender, or sexual orientation​

Violations of these terms could have resulted in fines, arrests, and a maximum prison sentence of two years.

The proposal faced significant backlash from Christian groups and free speech advocates, who argued that it infringed upon religious freedoms and the right to free expression. In response to the criticism and legal challenges, the council decided to pause the injunction and announced plans to consult further with local religious communities to address the concerns raised .

This situation highlights the ongoing debate in the UK regarding the balance between maintaining public order and upholding individual rights to religious expression.​

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