Council welcomes protection for abortion clinics

Lambeth council has welcomed new “buffer zones” to protect patients and staff from harassment while accessing abortion services across the country.

Since October 31, a 150-metre boundary, known as a ‘safe access zone’ has been introduced at all clinics and hospitals offering abortion services in England and Wales.

Lambeth councillor Jacqui Dyer, Cabinet Member for Healthier Communities, said: “I’m very pleased that the Government is prioritising the rights of residents to access safe abortion services.

“We have always stood by a woman’s rights to choose, and we always will. These new protection zones are also important for the safety of people who work at reproductive health clinics.

“This has been a key issue for us for some time, and we know from consultations that our residents overwhelmingly support this policy.”

The move makes it a criminal offence to “intentionally or recklessly” cause harassment, alarm or distress, or to obstruct or try to influence any person’s decision to access abortion services, inside the new buffer zones. 

Actions including handing out anti-abortion leaflets, protesting against abortion rights, shouting at individuals, holding vigils or silent prayer within 150 metres of clinics could lead to prosecution.

Lambeth residents had expressed their concerns about the activities of anti-abortion campaigners gathering outside the borough’s abortion services to the council in recent years.

The council has worked with organisations including the Met Police and the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) to ensure women can exercise their legal right to access abortion services in the borough without encountering anti-abortion protestors.

Pictured top: Christian campaign anti-abortion prayer vigil outside birth control clinic in London (Picture: Jeffrey Blackler/Alamy Stock Photo)