All cases
Church Appeals Public Order Notice Restricting Street Outreach in Colchester
May 1, 2026, United KingdomBread of Life Community Church in Colchester, Essex, is appealing against a Community Protection Notice (CPN) restricting its street outreach. The notice is believed to be an unprecedented use of public-order legislation against an entire church, rather than individual street preachers, and raises concerns as it addresses not only the manner of preaching but also the content of religious messaging.
Lib Dems Admit Religious Discrimination Against Former Candidate
April 29, 2026, United KingdomThe Liberal Democrat party has admitted religious discrimination against journalist David Campanale following a four-year legal dispute over his deselection as a parliamentary candidate. Campanale had been removed after expressing Christian views on issues such as abortion and assisted suicide. The case has raised serious concerns about the treatment of individuals holding religious convictions within political parties and the potential impact on participation in public life.
Charges Dropped Against Christian Woman for Holding Sign in "Buffer Zone" Case
April 27, 2026, United KingdomOn 27 April, Glasgow Sheriff Court dismissed criminal charges against a Christian woman, Rose Docherty, who had been arrested for peacefully offering consensual conversation within a designated “buffer zone”, finding that the prosecution had failed to disclose an offence. However, the case may be reopened if prosecutors present further evidence. Docherty was the first person charged under Scotland’s 2024 “buffer zone” law after standing near a Glasgow hospital with a sign reading: “Coercion is a crime, here to talk, only if you want.”
Suspected Arson at Church Cemetery in Dorset
April 1, 2026, United KingdomA fire that broke out in the early hours at St George’s Church cemetery in Dorchester is believed to have been started deliberately.
Repeated vandalism and arson: Pastor Speaks of Being Victimised
March 12, 2026, United KingdomSalvation Chapel International, a pentecostal church in Laindon, has suffered repeated and escalating acts of vandalism, including a fire, destruction of toilets and church property, and graffiti.
Christian Church Targeted in Cyberattack Showing Degrading Images of Pastors
March 4, 2026, United KingdomA Baptist church in the UK was targeted in a cyberattack in which hackers hijacked its online identity, used it to promote gambling, and posted degrading images of pastors. The hackers used a similar domain name and imagery from the church’s website to confuse users
Suspected Arson targets West London Church
February 23, 2026, United KingdomA major fire severely damaged the former King’s Hall Methodist Church in Southall, West London. Police and fire investigators are treating the blaze as suspected arson.
Arson at Historic Former Scottish Church
February 14, 2026, United KingdomA deliberately set fire tore through the former St John’s Church in Camelon, leading to road closures and an overnight firefighting operation.
Repeated Vandalism at Hastings Church
February 13, 2026, United KingdomPolice investigated repeated deliberate damage to lighting bollards in the grounds of St John the Evangelist Church in Hollington.
Man Smashes Religious Artefacts in Glasgow
February 10, 2026, United KingdomA man armed with tools entered St Alphonsus RC Church in Glasgow and smashed its gift shop, destroying religious artefacts and causing an estimated £1,500 in damage. A church spokesperson warned that this act of violence amounted to desecration and was more severe than previous incidents.
Freshers’ Fair Ban on Church Successfully Challenged
January 24, 2026, United KingdomA Christian church, Grace Church Greenwich, was denied the chance to book a stall at Goldsmiths University’s Freshers’ Fair because the booking contractor, Native, stated it could no longer “facilitate bookings for religious groups at these events.” Grace Church challenged the policy as discriminatory, and the company subsequently suspended the ban, allowing bookings from the church and similar groups.
UK Police Ban Christian March Over Fear of Muslim Community Reaction
January 23, 2026, United KingdomThe Metropolitan Police blocked a UK Independence Party “Walk With Jesus” march scheduled for 31 January in Whitechapel, east London, citing fears it would provoke a hostile reaction from the local Muslim community and lead to “serious violence and disorder.”
Buncton’s 11th‑Century Church Attacked
January 18, 2026, United KingdomAll Saints Church in Buncton, West Sussex, suffered extensive damage after almost all of its windows were smashed and fixtures vandalised between 13 and 18 January.
Historic Statue of Our Lady Smashed Outside Church in Middlesbrough
December 30, 2025, United KingdomOn 30 December 2025, a statue of Our Lady outside a church in Middlesbrough was repeatedly pushed to the ground and smashed, causing extensive damage. The destruction of a long-standing Marian statue caused shock among parishioners and local residents.
Statue of Baby Jesus Smashed on Christmas Eve
December 24, 2025, United KingdomOn Christmas Eve vandals smashed a statue of the Infant Jesus and relics in the Lady Chapel desecrated at St. Patrick’s Church in Edinburgh. There was blood left in multiple areas of the sanctuary, and the figure was thrown into a bin during a confrontation between two distressed visitors.
Court Hears Case of Glasgow Grandmother Arrested Again For Sign Offering Conversation
December 19, 2025, United Kingdom75-year-old grandmother and Christian prayer group leader Rose Docherty has been arrested a second time and criminally charged for holding a sign reading “Coercion is a crime, here to talk, only if you want” within 200 metres of an abortion facility in Glasgow.
UPDATE: Woman criminally charged for silent prayer
December 17, 2025, United KingdomBritish charitable volunteer Isabel Vaughan-Spruce has been criminally charged in Birmingham under the UK’s new national abortion “buffer zone” law for silently praying near an abortion facility, with her trial scheduled for 29 January 2026. This is the first known prosecution under the Public Order Act 2023, highlighting tensions between public-order regulations and freedom of conscience.
Leicestershire Church Stained Glass Panels Smashed in Vandalism
December 13, 2025, United KingdomHistoric St Mary’s Church in Coleorton, Leicestershire suffered costly damage when unknown perpetrators smashed two of its stained glass panels in what police and clergy described as “mindless vandalism”.
Dismissal of Teacher Sparks Debate on Religious Expression in UK Schools
December 9, 2025, United KingdomA UK primary school teacher was suspended in March 2024 and later dismissed after telling a Muslim student that “Britain is still a Christian state,” citing the King as head of the Church of England and describing Islam as a minority religion. The teacher, who had also allegedly suggested the student could attend a nearby Islamic school if they preferred a religious setting, faced both police and safeguarding investigations. Although he was initially banned from working with children, he successfully appealed the decision and is now pursuing legal action against.
Arson Attack at Laindon Church
November 27, 2025, United KingdomAuthorities investigated a deliberate fire at a Laindon church previously subjected to repeated racist vandalism.