A Christian preacher has said he has experienced "two-tier policing and censorship" after being threatened with arrest while addressing the public.

Pastor Dia Moodley is taking legal action against Avon and Somerset Police after being assaulted by Muslim bystanders who objected to his peaceful preaching and then being threatened with arrest by police.

Since 2020, the Christian from Bristol has been the subject of repeated enforcement action by Avon and Somerset Police over his street preaching, which includes comparisons between Christianity and Islam.

He expressed that while he believes policing is a vital job, he has experienced "two-tier policing and censorship".

Moodley said: "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."

"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."

"This is a clear example of two-tier policing and was effectively victim-blaming. This should not occur in a free and democratic society."

While preaching in March this year, a number of Muslim men took offence at Moodley’s preaching, with one man threatening to stab him and another attempting to punch his wife, according to the pastor.

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He told the People's Channel that the experience was "extremely intimidating" and that the police response was "appalling".

Moodley described the bystanders attempting to forcibly take his Quran, which he had been holding in his hand, pushing him off his ladder, pinning him to the floor, and claiming the Quran was their book, not his.

He claimed police officers told him on two separate occasions that he would be arrested for a breach of the peace, despite considering himself the victim.

Moodley said that the man who had threatened to stab him continued to make threats in the presence of the officers and was not arrested.

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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."

"This desire of authorities to protect certain groups from offence clearly does not extend to Christians."

"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."

GB News has reached out to Avon and Somerset Police for a comment.

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