Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what measures are in place to ensure the enforcement of 150m buffer zones established to limit protests surrounding abortion clinics.

The Government is committed to ensuring that individuals can access abortion services without harassment or intimidation while protecting freedom of expression.

Enforcement of the law is a matter for the police and courts, who are operationally independent of Government. To support enforcement of public order law, the College of Policing and Crown Prosecution Service have published guidance. The guidance makes clear that legislation does not prohibit specific behaviours within safe access zones, such as vigils or silent prayer. Whether conduct amounts to an offence depends on the intent and circumstances of the case and will be assessed by the relevant local force.

College of Policing guidance is published online here: https://www.college.police.uk/app/public-order-public-safety and National protest operational advice

Crown Prosecution Service guidance on the offence is published online here: Offences during Protests, Demonstrations or Campaigns | The Crown Prosecution Service Reference to silent prayer is contained in the annex: Protests - Potential offences during protests, demonstrations, or campaigns - Annex A | The Crown Prosecution Service