A new guide to help street preachers know their rights has been launched by the Christian Institute.

The Street Preacher's Charter sets out the rules and responsibilities for open-air evangelism. It covers topics such as: ‘What Can I Say?’, ‘Where Can I Preach?’, as well as anti-social behaviour laws.

Recent months have seen several clashes between street preachers and police officers, with blurred lines over controversial speech amounting to offensive speech, and even criminality.

Sam Webster, head of legal at the Christian Institute, said he authored the charter to reset relationships between officers and evangelists, and create a mutual understanding of respect.

“We shouldn’t have a situation where simply somebody being offended is cause for police intervention,” he said.

“What we seek to do is set out the legal rights and protections which street preachers have enjoyed for hundreds of years in this country – but also the duties and responsibilities that go with being a street preacher.”

He said the Christian Institute are “mindful of the difficult job” officers are tasked with, when protecting public spaces.

“More often than not, cases happen through misunderstanding,” he said. “We hope this document will be of mutual interest.”

The Charter isn’t only backed by Christians; Baroness Fox, an open non-believer and former member of the Living Marxism movement, was part of its launch panel.

She expressed concern at police intervention over any freedom of expression, and said that both Marxists and Christians can rally around the idea of protecting speech in the public square.

Webster said: “It is vitally important that the gospel is preached. Nowhere should be out of bounds for that, but we want it to be done in a responsible way. That’s part of our witness as Christians – that when we share the gospel it is done in a winsome, accountable way.”