UK cop accuses two Christian preachers of hate crime

London, June 2 : Two Christian preachers have charged a police community support officer (PCSO) of accused them of "hate crime" for handing out gospel leaflets in a Muslim area.

Ministers Arthur Cunningham and Joseph Abraham claimed they were told to stop and threatened with arrest.

According to The Sun, the pair were handing out leaflets in Birmingham when they started talking to four Asian youths.

Cunningham, 48, and Abraham, 65 - who hold US passports - said a passing Asian PCSO stepped in and became "very aggressive".

They said he accused them of trying to convert Muslim youth and ranted about the Iraq war - telling them they faced being "beaten up" if they returned to the area.

They have demanded an apology and damages from West Midlands Police.

The force, however, maintains that the officer had intervened to defuse a row.

ANI