Footage of the moment police in London arrested a street preacher has been viewed 1.8 million times.
A video also appears to show the man's Bible being confiscated after officers in the north of the city accused him of "causing problems" and "disturbing people's days".The clip, shared on Twitter, does not give any indication as to the nature of the man's preaching. The Metropolitan Police told Premier: "Police were called to Southgate Underground Station at on Saturday, in response to concerns raised about a man's behaviour."An arrest was made to prevent a breach of the peace. The man was then de-arrested and no further action was necessary."Lawyers at the Christian Legal Centre, which has previously defended street preachers facing arrest, said it was working to identify the man and potentially offer him advice. Anglican clergyman and former chaplain to the Queen, Rev Dr Gavin Ashenden was among those expressing support for the evangelist online. He said: "Perhaps the Archbishop of Canterbury and the House of Church of England bishops might like to protest in favour of the poor and marginalised street preacher at the hands of policemen who neither know nor apply the law?"Church of England priest in Hereford, Fr Matthew Cashmore said: "This is deeply, deeply concerning."The way his bible was removed is horrendous. These officers should be ashamed of themselves for the way they dealt with this."
A video also appears to show the man's Bible being confiscated after officers in the north of the city accused him of "causing problems" and "disturbing people's days".The clip, shared on Twitter, does not give any indication as to the nature of the man's preaching. The Metropolitan Police told Premier: "Police were called to Southgate Underground Station at on Saturday, in response to concerns raised about a man's behaviour."An arrest was made to prevent a breach of the peace. The man was then de-arrested and no further action was necessary."Lawyers at the Christian Legal Centre, which has previously defended street preachers facing arrest, said it was working to identify the man and potentially offer him advice. Anglican clergyman and former chaplain to the Queen, Rev Dr Gavin Ashenden was among those expressing support for the evangelist online. He said: "Perhaps the Archbishop of Canterbury and the House of Church of England bishops might like to protest in favour of the poor and marginalised street preacher at the hands of policemen who neither know nor apply the law?"Church of England priest in Hereford, Fr Matthew Cashmore said: "This is deeply, deeply concerning."The way his bible was removed is horrendous. These officers should be ashamed of themselves for the way they dealt with this."
Archbishop Cranmer@His_Grace
Street Preacher: "Don't take my Bible away. Don't take my Bible away."
Police officer: "You should have thought about that before being racist."
Dear @metpoliceuk,
Setting aside the appalling ignorance of these two officers, would you handle a copy of the Qur'an like that?
Eye On Antisemitism@AntisemitismEye
A Christian preacher this afternoon was arrested at Southgate station London N14 for preaching about Jesus. @CConcern the police told him it’s because the public had said he was being Islamophobic. We have the full video and wondered when preaching was now illegal? @Campaign4T
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Trevor Morrison@TrevsDev
Great to see in this thread, Christians and atheists and those who witnessed actual event all appalled at police behaviour.
Archbishop Cranmer@His_Grace
Street Preacher: "Don't take my Bible away. Don't take my Bible away."
Police officer: "You should have thought about that before being racist."
Dear @metpoliceuk, Setting aside the appalling ignorance of these two officers, would you handle a copy of the Qur'an like that?
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