(Photo: Instagram/Ollie Sabatelli)
In the towns of Surrey and Sussex, a Christian street preacher has been instructed by police to refrain from using a microphone or speaking words that may disturb the public. This directive comes as part of a Community Protection Notice issued to evangelist Ollie Sabatelli.
The warning, delivered by Surrey Police, restricts Sabatelli from using amplification devices during his street preaching and aims to prevent “annoyance, upset, and distress” to local communities and businesses.
During an encounter captured on video, Sabatelli inquired why he was receiving the warning. One officer explained that it was related to his “choice of words” that allegedly “causes fear and harm” to the community.
Sabatelli questioned the legality of quoting the Bible, to which another officer responded, “It doesn’t specify preaching what you want. It’s saying that it’s just causing an upset.”
When further pressed on whether Bible preaching was allowed, the first officer acknowledged, “That’s absolutely fine but unfortunately we’re getting called.”
The officer also clarified that ignoring the warning could lead to his arrest, indicating that the prohibition spans the entire regions of Surrey and Sussex.
Sabatelli expressed his willingness to face arrest and took the opportunity to invite the officers to embrace Jesus as their Lord and Saviour.
In a statement, Surrey Police clarified that their actions were not aimed at the content of the preaching but rather at the “volume” and “nature of its amplification.”
“We are aware there’s been some concerns around a man causing annoyance, upset and distress to the local community and businesses of Guildford Town Centre,” stated Surrey Police.
The issued Community Protection Notice prohibits the use of amplification tools such as microphones, loud hailers, and loudspeakers in public areas across Surrey and Sussex.
“The order is not related to the content being said, but the volume and the nature of its amplification,” reiterated the police statement.
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
