Essex Church Challenges Council Ban on Street Preaching

The Bread of Life Community Church in Clacton, Essex, is currently challenging a Community Protection Notice (CPN) issued by Colchester City Council. The legal order, issued in March by the Safer Colchester Partnership and Essex Police, prohibits the congregation from using loudspeakers during their weekly outreach in Colchester’s city center. The council claims the church’s amplified preaching caused excessive noise and distress to local residents and businesses, specifically citing reports that members told passers-by, including children, that they were "going to Hell."

Represented by the Christian Legal Centre, the church denies targeting children and argues that the notice effectively functions as a ban on their religious expression. Pastor Stephen Clayden stated that the congregation intends to continue preaching their message, which includes warnings of judgment, as they believe the Bible dictates. The church contends that the restrictions are unprecedented and fears that a legal defeat could set a precedent for further limitations on public evangelism. A council spokesperson maintained that the CPN was a response to repeated complaints regarding conduct that caused alarm, and the matter is now pending before a magistrates' court.