Police caught out by street preacher evidence
The story of a Christian street preacher, whose video of arrest went viral across the world, has caught out the Metropolitan Police, who have had to change their story about what happened.
13 March 2019 Press Office
Britain’s ‘most arrested’ street preacher wins free speech victory
In a victory for freedom of speech, Britain’s ‘most arrested’ street preacher, Mike Overd, has walked free from conviction after his fifth prosecution. With four previous prosecutions – and no convictions – street preacher Mike Overd was accused in January of this year of ‘offending’ members of the public and charged with ‘anti-social behaviour’. However, ...
4 April 2019 Articles
Government challenged over arrest of street preacher
In response to the arrest of street preacher Olu, written questions have been raised to the government, find out what was said below. The arrest of street preacher Oluwole on Saturday 23rd February outside Southgate Tube station prompted outrage on social media as the video quickly went viral. Watch our video reconstruction of the arrest: Read ...
15 March 2019 Articles
Police caught out by street preacher evidence
The video of the arrest of Pastor Oluwole Ilesanmi has sparked outrage from Christians and non-Christians alike across the UK and the globe. But the story does not end with his arrest, it gets worse. Here Christian Concern’s Tim Dieppe explains what happened and how the actions of the police have been exposed. Viral video ...
12 March 2019 ArticlesVideo of Christian street preacher arrest goes viral
On Saturday 23 February, Oluwole Ilesanmi, a Christian street preacher and former dentist, was arrested outside Southgate tube station in London for ‘breaching the peace’. The police have said that they were called by a member of the public who had complained that the preacher was being ‘Islamophobic’ as he shared the gospel with passers-by. ...
28 February 2019 Articles
Another street preacher cleared of all charges
Another street preacher was cleared of a public order offence charge last week at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court. Only a week after Mike Overd and Michael Stockwell’s public order convictions were overturned at Bristol Crown Court, another preacher has been acquitted of a public order offence charge. Supported by the Christian Legal Centre, Andrew Frost was ...
13 July 2017 Articles
The Bristol Four
Four Christian street preachers, known as 'the Bristol Four', are challenging how they have been treated by Avon and Somerset Police over eight years.
19 October 2021 Cases
Preaching, not breaching the peace
On Wednesday 31 July, a group of Christian street preachers, including street preacher Oluwole Ilesanmi, delivered our street preacher petition to the Home Office, New Scotland Yard and the London Assembly.
6 August 2019 Articles
When the gospel is criminalised, who suffers the consequences?
Our Chief Executive Andrea Williams writes about an entire church community facing criminalisation for their street ministry. This piece was originally published in Christian Today In Colchester, one of Britain’s oldest recorded settlements, an entire church community is facing the possibility of being criminalised for their street ministry. The church, Bread of Life Community Church ...
30 April 2026 Articles
Church faces criminalisation for lawful Christian preaching in Colchester
Bread of Life Community Church in Essex has been issued with a Community Protection Notice (CPN) that could criminalise its pastor and members for preaching the Christian gospel in Colchester city centre. This is believed to be an unprecedented use of public‑order powers against a whole church, rather than individual Christian street preachers and further ...
22 April 2026 ArticlesChurch faces criminalisation under Community Protection Notice for lawful Christian preaching in Colchester
Bread of Life Community Church in Essex has been issued with a Community Protection Notice (CPN) that could criminalise its pastor and members for preaching the Christian gospel in Colchester city centre.
22 April 2026 Press Office
Police lie to cover up enforcing Islamic demands
Tim Dieppe responds after leaked minutes from a safety advisory group meeting show that the police procured false evidence to justify banning Israeli fans from coming to support their football team The Sunday Times reported this week that leaked minutes from a safety advisory group meeting show that the police procured false evidence to justify ...
7 January 2026 Articles
Standing for Jesus Christ and advocating for righteousness in the public sphere
Over the course of the last year, we have been at the forefront of some of the most crucial ideological fights our nation has seen. Through our advocacy, research and campaigns, we have equipped the Church, our politicians, and the public to face the key issues of our day with courage, conviction and the determination ...
24 December 2025 Articles
Proposed definition of anti-Muslim hatred leaked
Tim Dieppe comments on the government’s leaked definition of ‘anti-Muslim hatred’ Yesterday, the proposed definition of ‘Islamophobia’ which has been kept secret for weeks, but has been shown to multiple sympathetic campaigners, was published by the BBC. The government set up a working group to propose a definition earlier this year, and their work has ...
16 December 2025 Articles
Shaun O’Sullivan
Shaun O'Sullivan, a street preacher, was arrested in Swindon in March 2020 after explaining how Christians worship a different God to Muslims.
3 November 2025 Cases
Is the right wing revival real?
Are pro-Christian statements from the right wing genuine? Communications Manager Paul Huxley comments on the claims and counter-claims Is the political right co-opting Christianity? A Guardian editorial this week thinks so. It says: “At last Saturday’s rally the striking proliferation of wooden crosses and flags bearing Christian slogans suggest an ominous and rising influence on the British ...
19 September 2025 Articles
Preacher acquitted after being falsely accused
Christian street preacher, Michael Jones, 75, has this week been acquitted of all charges following a prosecution that stemmed from an alleged incident in Beverley town centre on 1 December 2023. The case, supported by lawyers with the Christian Legal Centre, raised important questions about the boundaries of free speech and the misrepresentation of personal ...
22 August 2025 Articles
Evangelism and the law
Navaid Syed from the Christian Legal Centre will be speaking at Deeper Life Bible Church this Saturday – on evangelism and the law. Our Christian Legal Centre has stood with many street preachers for their rights to share the gospel of Jesus Christ, and on Saturday at 14:30, Navaid will share legal insights on the ...
16 August 2025 Events
Preacher to appeal after arrest for criticising Islam
In a concerning setback to the right to free speech, the High Court has rejected the appeal of a Christian preacher who was arrested outside Southwark Cathedral for displaying placards which protested Islam in the wake of the London Bridge, Westminster, and Manchester Arena terrorist attacks. Ian Sleeper, 58, was arrested outside Southwark Cathedral on ...
28 January 2025 Articles
2024: a year of resistance, endurance, and determination
We have now entered the new year – but what a year 2024 was! Critical legal cases were fought in the battle for Christian freedoms, we stood tirelessly for life against abortion and assisted suicide, and we equipped the Church to respond to these challenges and more with courageous faith in Jesus Christ, our true ...
3 January 2025 Articles
One million Korean Christians stand for biblical truth
Christian Concern’s chief executive Andrea Williams reports on the courageous faith of the Korean church and the power of prayer that she experienced during her recent trip to South Korea to speak at a rally attended by 1.1 million Korean Christians On Thursday 24 October, after a day spent with the ‘Darlington Five’ – ...
31 October 2024 Articles
No one has a recruitment list like Jesus
True freedom is found in Jesus, and this is evidenced by the broad range of people who have turned their lives around in order to follow him True freedom is found only in following Jesus. Nothing and no one boasts the width and length and height and depth of transforming love that Jesus has (Eph. ...
28 June 2024 Articles
Responding to Reform’s Contract with the People
Our Head of Public Policy Tim Dieppe gives his assessment of the policies in Reform UK’s Contract with the People Reform UK released what it calls its Contract With the People on Monday. As one might expect from a party less likely to take power, it contains some radical policy proposals. Family Reform proposes to ...
18 June 2024 Articles
The Challenge of Islam in the UK
Head of Public Policy Tim Dieppe outlines the distinct challenges raised by Islam in the UK and how Christians can productively respond There is no doubt that Islam poses a challenge to Christians living in the UK. It is growing in influence and has political as well as religious ambitions. Islam is already threatening our ...
10 May 2024 Articles