Police are investigating a number of recorded hate incidents involving street preachers in Belfast City Centre.
Concern has been raised regarding a number of preachers in the city centre who have been accused of homophobic displays, with counter protesters saying there are daily incidents.
Brian Redpath, who has staged a number of counter protests at their displays, spoke to Belfast Live regarding his concerns involving the street preachers saying they are using aggressive language to demonise the LGBTQ community which has resulted in attacks.
Read more: DUP councillor defends street preachers during bitter row over new city centre by-laws
He said that last week while protesting against the preachers on Donegall Place he was approached by a man and spat on.
Brian said: "Every day these preachers are in Belfast City Centre promoting hate against the LGBT community and it shouldn't be allowed to continue.
"I am a firm believer in freedom of speech but there is a line that is often crossed where they have devolved into hate speech and have made some truly vile comments towards me and the people who I have been with.
"There have been a number of incidents in the past few weeks alone, although this is a problem that has been going on for some time, and last Thursday while I was protesting them another person came up and spat on me.
"They are manipulating scriptures in order to demonise a community and it was ironic to see one of them with a 'Be Kind' logo on their backpack recently.
"Most people in Belfast are sick and tired of having to listen to them as we go about our business in the city centre and more needs to be done to prevent this kind of hate speech that is being allowed to take place."
Police have said they have received a report of an incident where a man was spat on, on Donegal Place on Thursday, May 26, between 3.40pm and 3.50pm, and enquiries are continuing.
East Belfast Green Party councillor Anthony Flynn said that the "hateful" preaching can have a huge impact on the mental health of many within the LGBT community, particularly those who are young.
He said: "The council is currently working on by-laws in order to address this issue in the city centre, with it getting regular complaints from members of the public and businesses who have lost footfall due to the preachers being near their premises.
"It is a slow process which will require cooperation between the Council, Assembly and Department for Communities but we hope to see some progress on this later this year.
"The words and actions of these preachers can have a huge impact on the LGBTQ community in Belfast, particularly those who are very young and I know from personal experience as a young teen how it affected me and my own mental health.
"It is important that if anyone ever suspects that hate speech is taking place in our city centre that they contact the police and report it so that hopefully further action will be taken to stop it."
Belfast sergeant Robert Jeffers said: "We have received a number of reports in relation to street preachers in the Belfast area which are being investigated. These have been recorded as hate incidents.
"There is currently no specific hate crime legislation in Northern Ireland. If a person if found guilty of a crime which in the opinion of the court was motivated by hate, the sentence may be enhanced.
"Whilst something is said by one person is perceived as offensive by another, it may not necessarily be a criminal offence.
"There is no requirement for notification to police of these specific events, although we would always encourage engagement with local police prior to and during any public events to ensure the safety of all.”
Belfast City Council has said that it is working to develop by-laws to address a range of issues in the city centre that will be put to public consultation later this year.
A spokesperson said: "Council is working to develop bye-laws to address a range of issues relating to the city centre. We are liaising with stakeholders and, following engagement with the Department for Communities, these will be issued for wider public consultation later this year.”
Read more: Belfast city centre buskers and protestors could be hit by by-law plan, councillors say
Read more: Belfast man on his 'peaceful counter' to street preachers on behalf of LGBT community
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