Bizarre Brit Cop Tells Gospel Singer: 'You Can't Sing Church Songs Outside Church!' Then Sticks Out Her Tongue

LONDON — In a jaw-dropping display of bureaucratic bullying that's gone viral, a volunteer cop with London's Metropolitan Police tried to shut down a young gospel singer belting out hymns on busy Oxford Street, claiming she wasn't allowed to perform "church songs" anywhere but inside a church.

Harmonie London, a 20-year-old Christian performer with hundreds of thousands of followers on YouTube and Instagram, was doing what she does regularly: lifting spirits with powerful worship tunes like "Amazing Grace" and "Goodness of God" for shoppers in central London. No complaints, no noise issues — just pure, uplifting music on a public street.

Enter Special Constable Maya Hadzhipetkova, a volunteer officer with full police powers. In video footage from the January 28, 2024, incident, the cop confronts London and declares: "No, miss, you're not allowed to sing church songs outside of church grounds, by the way."

When London pushed back, citing her rights, the exchange dragged on for more than 40 minutes. The officer reportedly threatened to confiscate the singer's keyboard and equipment if she didn't stop. As the awkward standoff wrapped up, Hadzhipetkova turned to the camera and stuck out her tongue like a petulant schoolgirl.

The clip exploded online, sparking outrage over what many called an absurd attack on free expression and Britain's Christian heritage. Critics pointed out the irony in a country where public calls to prayer from other faiths often face no such interference.

The Met Police was forced into damage control. In a statement, the force admitted the officer was flat-out wrong: "The officer was mistaken in saying church songs cannot be sung outside of church grounds. We’re sorry for the offence caused and will take the learning forward."

They tried to spin it as an issue with "unlicensed busking" rules in Westminster, but conceded the special constable "could have handled this differently" and launched a review of bodycam footage. No word on any real punishment for Hadzhipetkova.

London, who regularly streams her street performances, said she felt "sad" and "humiliated" by the encounter but refused to be silenced. She vowed to keep singing, and did just that on Oxford Street the next day.