An e-petition suggests Sheffield residents are frustrated with amplified street preaching and music in the city centre, calling the council to “consider the impacts on the mental health of people working in the area”.
The petition outlines that it is not concerned with preaching in general, but rather with the specific use of amplifiers. The issue has sparked debate over noise levels and freedom of expression.
Alex McLean, who started the petition, said: “I have to walk down (the Moor) to get to work, but when the preachers are full blast, it isn’t somewhere I’d choose to relax”.
Mr McLean believes the problem has worsened over the last six months: “It just seems odd to be preaching to no one and then amplify yourself louder so passers by steer clear even more to avoid hearing damage!”
Liberal Democrat Councillor Robert Reiss shared concern that amplified street preaching prevents the city centre from being a space for everyone.
Coun Reiss said: “Street preachers can make the city centre a very intimidating place for a range of people. Hateful language that targets minority groups or members of the LGBTQ+ community, being spouted in a public space, is unacceptable”.
Coun Reiss mentioned that excessive amplification can cause “anxiety” and be “disorientating” for neurodivergents and people with PTSD.
Labour Councillor Laura Moynahan wanted to emphasise that it is not just preachers that are the issue, but music too.
She said: “The problem is not necessarily the activity itself, but the levels of amplification.
“The levels and competing noise on the Moor are excessive. Shop workers told me that it’s awful”.
One woman in her 30s who works on the Moor, who did not wish to be named, said: “It gives me a headache sometimes. It makes you want to go home when it’s bad”.
A counter-petition has been started by Wayne Walton (UNITY UK): ‘Protect Peaceful Public Expression in Sheffield – Fair Rules for Amplified Street Preaching’.
It requests that the council pause any new Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) changes or enforcement practices that would criminalise peaceful religious outreach until a joint multi-stakeholder review is completed.
Coun Reiss said: “I trust the relevant council committee to come to a sensitive position on street preaching and amplification, though I will happily speak out if I think the public’s right to hold peaceful demonstration is being curtailed”.