Police have clarified the reasons for asking a Christian group to cease preaching outside London’s bustling King's Cross station, after a video circulated showing a female British Transport Police officer telling the evangelists to stop spreading their gospel. The officer cited concerns over the loudness of their message and the disruption to commuters passing through the busy concourse between King’s Cross and St Pancras International, an area handling nearly 60 million passengers annually. The officer’s comment, “I just think it’s wrong,” sparked online debate about whether her personal views were influencing the enforcement action.
British Transport Police explained that the group was asked to move on because they were using a loudspeaker without the necessary permission from Network Rail, as amplification in that private land area requires prior approval. A spokesperson emphasised the force’s respect for religious expression and confirmed that a senior officer is currently reviewing the incident. The Christian group’s leader, Mon B of Mad 4 Jesus Ministries, claimed the police officer gave an “unnecessary” opinion alongside enforcing the rule. The interaction gained further attention as videos showed a different police officer later praying with the group, suggesting some level of mutual respect.
This occurrence follows a pattern of contentious encounters between police and Christian preachers or performers in London. In early 2023, the Metropolitan Police apologised after a volunteer officer was found to have mistakenly told Christian singer Harmonie London she could not perform church songs outside church grounds—a claim that was deemed to infringe her rights to freedom of expression and religion. The Met clarified that any issue was related to unlicensed busking, not the religious content, and expressed regret for the offence caused.
Similarly, in February 2024, the Metropolitan Police in Uxbridge threatened arrest to Christian preachers following a public complaint alleging “hate crimes” under new restrictions imposed by a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO). These orders, adopted by some London boroughs like Hillingdon, restrict activities such as amplification and distribution of literature in certain public spaces, sparking concerns about the suppression of religious speech. The preachers involved, including Pastor Dwayne Lopez, protested that their messages, based on Biblical scripture, were peaceful expressions of faith rather than hate speech.
The use of PSPOs to regulate public preaching is not unique to London. In April 2025, Leicester City Council introduced a similar PSPO targeting anti-social behaviour, including loud music and e-scooter use, and applied it to religious groups using loudspeakers near central landmarks. Members of Christian and Islamic organisations felt unfairly targeted for exercising their free speech rights, highlighting the broader tension between public order enforcement and religious freedoms in urban centres.
Meanwhile, Network Rail has faced related controversies over religious messaging at King's Cross. In March 2024, it removed an Islamic Hadith message displayed on the station’s main departure board following passenger complaints, stating the board should be reserved for train information. This led to an internal investigation and sparked calls from Christian groups for Bible scriptures to be displayed at Easter, further illustrating the delicate balance Network Rail must maintain in managing religious expression on its property.
London’s King's Cross station has also witnessed disruptions from other activist actions, such as protests in 2018 that briefly closed the station and halted train services. These varied incidents underline the challenges of policing a high-traffic transport hub where diverse expressions of belief and protest intersect with the need to maintain order and service efficiency.
As the review into the recent incident with the Christian preachers unfolds, the case underscores the ongoing debate in London and beyond about how best to respect freedom of religious expression while managing public spaces and maintaining safety and convenience for the millions who pass through every year.
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Source: Noah Wire Services