A Christian preacher has accused Avon and Somerset Police of “two-tier policing and censorship” after claiming he was threatened with arrest whilst being assaulted by Muslim bystanders who objected to his street preaching in Bristol.
Pastor Dia Moodley is considering legal action against the force after the incident on 22 March 2025, where he alleges one man threatened to stab him and another attempted to punch his wife, before police officers threatened to arrest him twice for “breach of the peace” despite being the victim.
The Bristol-based pastor, who has faced repeated enforcement action over his street preaching since 2020, said the experience was “extremely intimidating” and the police response was “appalling.”
Violent Confrontation During Preaching
According to Moodley, the incident occurred whilst he was preaching in Bristol city centre about the differences between Christianity and Islam, holding a Quran in his hand. He claims a crowd gathered and several Muslim men took offence at his preaching.
“The bystanders then proceeded to try to forcibly take my Quran,” Moodley told the People’s Channel. “They pushed me off my ladder, pinned me to the floor, and claimed the Quran was their book, not his.”
The pastor alleges that one man threatened to stab him whilst another attempted to punch his wife during the confrontation. Despite this, Moodley claims police officers told him on two separate occasions that he would be arrested for breach of the peace.
“The man who had threatened to stab me continued to make threats in the presence of the officers and was not arrested,” Moodley said. “That man was not arrested or questioned at the scene and no details of any of the Muslim men who had assaulted me were taken on the day of the incident.”
Pattern of Enforcement Action
Since 2020, Moodley has been subject to repeated enforcement action by Avon and Somerset Police over his street preaching, which includes comparisons between Christianity and Islam. The pastor, a father of four, has been engaging in street evangelism for the past five years using a question-and-answer style that often leads to references to other religions.
I just want the police to uphold the fundamental human right of freedom of expression for preachers like me, and to properly investigate crime against me and people like me,” Moodley said.
He added: “My case is evidence of the severe free speech crisis in the UK. Britain has a proud history of protecting free speech. But this right is undoubtedly under serious threat today.”
Previous Arrest and Police Apology
This is not Moodley’s first controversial encounter with Avon and Somerset Police. In March 2024, he was arrested and held in a police cell for 13 hours after commenting on Islam and affirming that sex is binary during a street preaching session outside Bristol University.
The arrest occurred after Moodley contrasted Christianity and Islam in response to a question from a Muslim man during Ramadan. He was arrested on suspicion of committing “racially or religiously aggravated harassment without violence” under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and Section 5 of the Public Order Act 1986.
Following legal intervention from ADF International, a faith-based legal advocacy organisation, the investigation was dropped. The police later apologised for instructing Bristol University staff to destroy four of Moodley’s signs, one of which contained Bible text.
In an email to Moodley, an officer stated: “I’m sorry to advise that the signs were handed to [the University of Bristol] for them to dispose of. I cannot comment as to why this decision was made (as I was not present at the time), however I would like to apologise on behalf of my colleagues.”
Previous Police Restrictions Deemed ‘Disproportionate’
In February 2024, Avon and Somerset Police conceded that restrictions they had placed on Moodley were “disproportionate” after he challenged them with support from ADF International and the Free Speech Union.
The force had issued a warning notice in October 2021 that forbade Moodley from “passing comments on any other religion or comparing them to Christianity” and “passing comments on beliefs held by Atheists or those who believe in evolution.”
The notice also banned him from “delivering a sermon or religious address at a time or place that has not had prior consent and approval of Avon & Somerset Constabulary.”
Police Response and Investigation
Avon and Somerset Police said: “Officers attended a public disturbance in Broadmead, Bristol, on March 22, 2025, in which a preacher reported he had been threatened.”
They added: “A crowd of people gathered and was dispersed by officers, and the preacher was advised to stop and leave the area as a precaution.”
“An investigation has since been carried out and a man, in his 20s, attended a voluntary police interview in July, after which it was decided no further action would be taken.”
“This was communicated to the preacher on July 22, as well as their rights to submit a victim’s right to review (VRR) if not satisfied with the decision.”
“The following day, they submitted a VRR, which was assessed by a Chief Inspector, who determined on July 27 the case should be passed to the Crown Prosecution Service to consider a charging decision. The process is ongoing and therefore this remains a live police investigation.”
Claims of ‘Two-Tier Policing’
Moodley maintains that his experiences demonstrate a pattern of discrimination against Christian expression in public spaces.
“This is a clear example of two-tier policing and was effectively victim-blaming. This should not occur in a free and democratic society,” he said.
“Two-tier policing, which targets Christian expression, exists in the UK, because authorities want to prevent certain groups from being offended—even by speech which is peaceful and lawful, like mine.”
“This desire of authorities to protect certain groups from offence clearly does not extend to Christians.”
Legal Support and Wider Implications
Jeremiah Igunnubole, Legal Counsel for ADF UK, commented on Moodley’s previous arrest: “Christians in the UK have long suffered from two-tier policing simply for living out and sharing their Biblical beliefs. This should alarm anyone concerned with free speech, religious freedom, and the protection of democracy.”
With the help of ADF International, Moodley is pursuing a complaint against Avon and Somerset Police for his treatment, including the destruction of his signs from the previous incident.
The preacher added: “There are many brave and reasonable police officers, but this pattern of targeting peaceful street preachers like myself must stop. Everyone’s right to free speech must be protected in this country.”
The case has reignited debates about freedom of expression, religious liberty, and allegations of differential treatment by police forces when dealing with conflicts between different religious groups in public spaces.
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