A Christian street preacher in Bristol was allegedly assaulted and threatened by a group of Muslim men, only to have police warn him that he might be arrested.

According to The Christian Post, the incident, which took place on March 22, has sparked debate over religious expression and policing after officers allegedly failed to intervene against those threatening the preacher while instead cautioning him for public order concerns.

According to Pastor Dia Moodley, he was delivering a sermon in Broadmead, a shopping area in Bristol, where he was discussing theological differences between Christianity and Islam while holding a Quran. The tone of the sermon escalated tensions in the crowd, eventually attracting a hostile response from several bystanders.

Street Preaching Sparks Violent Reaction

During the event, Pastor Moodley claims that a man from the crowd threatened to stab him, and another individual allegedly attempted to assault his wife. Moodley reported that he was pushed to the ground, and members of the group tried to seize his Quran, asserting that it belonged to them. This confrontation unfolded in plain view of the police, according to Moodley and legal advocates supporting him.

ADF International, a legal group advocating for religious freedoms, announced that they are backing Moodley in his efforts to seek a legal review of the incident. The group claims that officers failed to take meaningful action against the alleged aggressors who were delivering verbal threats and attempted physical violence. They argue the preacher was treated unfairly by law enforcement.

Police on the scene reportedly warned Moodley that he may face arrest for creating a disturbance. Officers told him on two occasions that he could be charged with public order offences before a senior officer later overruled that position and confirmed Moodley would not be arrested.

Police Response Faces Intense Scrutiny

Avon and Somerset Police issued a statement after the incident confirming their presence at the March 22 disturbance. They said officers broke up a growing crowd and encouraged Moodley to leave the area to avoid further tension. No immediate arrests were made at the time.

Investigators say that a young man in his 20s later attended a voluntary interview in July in connection with the incident. Following that interview, police decided not to pursue further action against any individual and closed the matter—communicating this decision to Moodley on July 22.

The following day, Pastor Moodley filed an official victim’s right to review (VRR) to contest the decision. His appeal led to a reassessment of the case by a Chief Inspector, who decided on July 27 to refer the matter to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to determine if charges should be filed.

Legal Advocates Warn of Free Speech Impacts

ADF International’s legal counsel, Lorcán Price, argued that the incident exposes a trend of religious speech being curtailed in the United Kingdom under public order laws. He described the situation as an effective enforcement of “blasphemy laws” that disproportionately affect Christian voices.

“All in favor of free speech must support repealing censorial legislation and introducing stronger protections for freedom of expression in the U.K.,” Price said. He contended that failing to do so could lead to people like Pastor Moodley being silenced or prosecuted for peaceful expression.

The preacher himself expressed disappointment with the officers’ behavior. “It’s shocking that the police initially said I had breached the peace,” said Moodley. “This shows yet again that two-tier policing, which targets the expression of Christians, is a reality in modern-day Britain."

Investigation Ongoing as Public Watches Closely

Moodley emphasized that he always speaks respectfully and with the intent to share his faith with others. “I preach in public because I believe all people, including Muslims, need to know that Jesus Christ is ‘the way, and the truth, and the life,’” he said. He maintains that his approach is peaceful and based on love for his community.

Despite the hostile atmosphere during the March event, police opted not to take action against the person accused of delivering stabbing threats, even as those alleged threats reportedly continued within earshot of officers. This has raised questions among advocates about selective law enforcement.

As of now, the case remains active. Authorities confirmed that it is under formal review by the Crown Prosecution Service and that no final decision has been reached regarding whether any charges will be filed.

Broader Debate Over Religion and Policing

In addition to the VRR and CPS review, Pastor Moodley has filed a formal complaint against the Avon and Somerset Police over their handling of the situation. He accuses the force of ignoring threats against him while treating his peaceful preaching as problematic behavior.

The department maintains that it responded appropriately to a tense and potentially dangerous public disturbance. In their formal statements, they defended their actions as precautionary and made in the interest of public safety.

For supporters of Pastor Moodley, however, the incident reflects a deeper issue in British society about the freedom to express religious beliefs in public spaces—an issue now awaiting legal interpretation and possible prosecution.