Calls to tackle 'doom and hell' street preachers

Coun Laura Moynahan speaking at the meeting

A councillor has called for action to curb "noisy" street preachers in Sheffield city centre, saying she "doesn't want somebody shouting at me that I'm doomed".

Labour's Laura Moynahan raised the issue during a discussion about the public spaces protection order (PSPO) covering anti-social behaviour in the centre.

She said that loud noise from street preachers and buskers was not covered by the PSPO and asked the council to look at what powers it had to take action.

Council director of customer experience and communities Tom Smith said the council already had powers available to tackle nuisance noise, adding that bringing in new rules needed careful consideration due to possible impact on events and entertainment the council did want to run.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service Moynahan told the meeting: "I witnessed it on The Moor where the decibels were ridiculous.

"I went to the market to buy some fish and there were people sitting having their lunch on The Moor on those benches and they actually got up and walked away.

"They didn't want to sit there through that noise.

"I don't want somebody shouting at me that I'm doomed and I'll go to hell because I know that anyway. I don't need anybody to tell me."

Smith said he would report back to the committee.

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