LONDON (Reuters) – Buffer zones will come into force on Thursday around all clinics and hospitals providing abortions in England and Wales, making it a crime to “intentionally or recklessly” influence a person’s decision and obstruct access to those services.
Britain’s interior ministry, the Home Office, said in a statement the “safe access zones” would extend to a 150-metre radius to ensure women accessing abortion services were better protected from harassment and distress.
Police and prosecutors will consider each breach individually but they could include handing out anti-abortion leaflets, protesting against abortion rights or shouting at individuals attempting to access abortion services.
Prayer, including silent prayers, and vigils could also be considered a criminal offence. Anyone found guilty of breaking the new laws will be fined.
“The idea that any woman is made to feel unsafe or harassed for accessing health services, including abortion clinics is sickening,” said safeguarding minister Jess Phillips. “This stops today.”
Most abortions in England, Wales and Scotland are carried out before 24 weeks of pregnancy. They can be carried out after 24 weeks in very limited circumstances, such as when a woman’s life is at risk or there is a serious foetal abnormality.
The law, which women’s rights groups have longed called for, was initially approved by parliament last year.
(Reporting by Catarina Demony; Editing by William James)
