Street preachers from a Pentecostal church in West London have successfully pushed back against a local government ban that they said targeted their religious outreach.

According to the Christian Post, the Kingsborough Centre in Uxbridge won a legal battle that forced Hillingdon Council to revise controversial rules banning religious expression in public spaces, after months of legal pressure and public outcry.

In 2023, church leaders at The Kingsborough Centre discovered that a Public Spaces Protection Order, or PSPO, issued by the London Borough of Hillingdon made their longstanding street outreach activities illegal in parts of Uxbridge. The order banned practices often used by churches such as handing out literature, using amplification equipment, and displaying religious signs or verses in the town center.

Shortly after the order was made public, members of the church reported being approached by police officers who cited the new restrictions. Officials warned them that engaging in prohibited activities—like sharing messages such as “Jesus Christ is Lord of Lords and King of Kings”—could result in £100 fines or possible prosecution.

Pastor Babatunde Balogun told The Telegraph that the new rules "criminalized" the church’s attempt to serve the public and created what he called “a climate of fear.” He emphasized that these efforts were grounded in outreach and community service, not disruption or misconduct.

Church Known for Community Involvement and Peace Efforts

The Kingsborough Centre has a history of public service beyond street preaching, including organizing peace campaigns following the 7/7 bombings in London. It also provides childcare services in the boroughs of Hillingdon and Hounslow, underscoring its broader community focus.

In February 2024, the situation escalated when Pastor Dwayne Lopez and fellow missionaries were approached by police while preaching on Uxbridge High Street. Officers referenced the PSPO and expressed concern over complaints about verses from 1 Corinthians 6, though they did not detain anyone.

Lopez criticized the enforcement of the order, calling it an unfair move meant to clamp down on religious speech. He said the policy represented a misuse of local order powers rather than a response to actual public disorder or disturbance.

Legal Action and Human Rights Concerns Raised

With support from the Christian Legal Centre—a UK-based advocacy group—the church filed for a judicial review. The legal team argued that the PSPO violated key rights under Articles 9, 10, and 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which protect freedom of belief, expression, and assembly.

Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, said the original order amounted to an "unprecedented" restriction on Christian activity in public spaces. She warned that had it remained in place, it could have set a harmful example for other municipalities.

The church challenged the order on the grounds that the banned activities were peaceful and lawful, and therefore failed to meet the criteria for anti-social behavior as outlined under Section 59 of applicable UK law. They also contended that the council presented no clear evidence that religious displays or literature had caused public disruption.

Council Reverses Course Before Court Challenge

In August 2024, the High Court allowed the judicial review to proceed, placing added pressure on local authorities. However, before the matter could be resolved in court, legal correspondence and continued scrutiny led the council to reconsider.

By December 2024, Hillingdon Borough Council reversed the restrictive measures. Officials formally acknowledged that religious and charitable leaflet distribution is protected under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and agreed to remove the contested clauses from the PSPO.

A revised order took effect on May 1, 2025, eliminating restrictions on religious materials, amplification devices, and public preaching. The council clarified exemptions for religious expression and agreed to cover the church’s legal costs, estimated around £20,000.

Reactions and Broader Implications of the Outcome

In a statement, Hillingdon Council explained that the original PSPO was intended to limit general public disruptions and was not specifically aimed at religious organizations. The reversal, however, suggests a change in approach to balancing public order with civil liberties.

Andrea Williams welcomed the outcome, saying her organization found it encouraging and urged other churches to remain vigilant about similar local policies. She added that the case serves as a warning against overly broad public orders that could impact constitutional rights.

Free Speech Union General Secretary Toby Young also commented, noting that even the initial steps toward a judicial review were enough to spur policy change. “The council had to learn the lesson the hard way,” he said, adding that more authorities should tread carefully when drafting such orders.