A Christian street preacher was arrested in broad daylight in Watford after allegedly criticising Islam, in a case that is already fuelling concerns about freedom of speech and religious expression in Britain.
The Mail reports that Steve Maile, a 66-year-old pastor at Oasis City Church, had been preaching and singing hymns in the town centre when officers from Hertfordshire Police moved in and detained him. Footage of the incident shows Maile in handcuffs protesting his innocence, while one officer is heard telling him: “In the name of Jesus, get in the car.”
Police arrested Maile on suspicion of assault and a racially or religiously aggravated public order offence. The alleged assault—reportedly involving a teenager—was later dropped, but the public order investigation remains ongoing.
Maile denied any wrongdoing, insisting he had merely expressed Christian beliefs in public. “One moment I was preaching the gospel, the next I was surrounded and in cuffs,” he said, adding that he suffered pain from tight handcuffs and required medical attention after his release.
Witnesses at the scene challenged the arrest, with one onlooker claiming she had filmed the entire സംഭവം and saw no assault take place. Video footage also captured members of the public booing as Maile was placed into a police vehicle.
The case has been taken up by the Christian Legal Centre, which warned the arrest raises “fundamental questions” about whether Christian preaching is being disproportionately policed.
Police confirmed Maile was held for questioning and later released on bail. Authorities said they had received “conflicting reports” from witnesses and were continuing enquiries into the alleged public order offence.
