Full Breakdown
UK Pastor Arrested While Preaching on Watford High Street
5/18/2026, 12:43:11 AM
Arrest on Watford High Street
On 18 April 2024, Steve Maile, a 66-year-old senior pastor of Oasis City Church in Watford, was arrested by Hertfordshire Constabulary while preaching on a high-street in Watford, England. Maile, a New Zealand-born gospel singer, spoke for about ten minutes about Islam’s history of violence and urged Muslims to accept Christianity before police intervened and handcuffed him.
Charges and Police Statement
Police initially cited Maile for assaulting a child, a charge later withdrawn. He remains under investigation for a Section 5 public-order offence, defined as racially or religiously aggravated disorderly behaviour. Hertfordshire Police confirmed the arrest, noted Maile’s release on bail, and said an internal review of officer conduct found no further action required.
Christian Legal Centre Response
The Christian Legal Centre, representing Maile, called the arrest “deeply troubling.” Andrea Williams, its chief executive, said a peaceful Christian preacher was treated like a serious criminal for expressing his Christian beliefs and that Islam is a false religion in a public place.
Pastor Maile’s Account
Maile said he was handcuffed twice, suffered pain from double cuffs, and was denied his phone, restroom and legal rights for twelve hours. He required wrist splints for three weeks. Maile maintains his preaching was not hateful, stating he “preaches the love of God,” and expressed confidence that “God is on my side.”
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Police emphasize the now-withdrawn assault allegation and the Section 5 charge, while Maile highlights alleged mistreatment and the lack of a rights warning. No independent verification of the video or of Maile’s exact words is provided, leaving uncertainty about whether the speech meets the legal threshold for a Section 5 offence.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It's called inciting religious hatred — which is false,” — Steve Maile, senior pastor, Oasis City Church
- “I preach the love of God, the mercy of God and the goodness of God in Christ Jesus," he told Fox News Digital.” — Steve Maile
- “ "A peaceful, Christian preacher was treated like a serious criminal for expressing his Christian beliefs and that Islam is a false religion in a public place," said Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre.” — Andrea Williams, chief executive, Christian Legal Centre
- “I have not assaulted anyone. Take these off now! Take these off in the name of Jesus.” — Steve Maile
Implications for Freedom of Speech
The incident raises fundamental questions about whether policing in this country is now criminalizing Christianity while failing to apply the law equally and consistently. The debate centers on balancing protection from hate speech with the right to express religious beliefs in public.
Next Steps
Maile remains on bail while the Section 5 investigation continues. No further police action on officer conduct has been announced. A court hearing is expected within twelve months, at which point a judge will decide whether the public-order charge is justified.
