Protest ban outside abortion clinic in force

A previous pro-life vigil opposite the BPAS clinic in London Street, Reading

A ban on protests outside a town's abortion clinic has come into force.

Abortions are undertaken at the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) in London Street, Reading.

Pro-life groups have held regular vigils outside the centre on Saturdays as part of the 40 Days for Life campaigns which have taken place internationally since September.

Pro-life vigils or protests outside the centre must now take place a distance of 150 metres (492 ft) away.

Now protests must take place a distance of 150m away from the abortion clinic in Reading

Exclusion zones were first discussed in parliament in 2022 after Reading Borough councillors unanimously approved a move to seek a public space protection order to create a buffer around the BPAS clinic.

Its implementation has been welcomed by BPAS.

Heidi Stewart, CEO of the organisation said: “For too long women have been harassed, intimidated, and abused going in to seek essential healthcare. They’ve been called murderers.

“They’ve had pamphlets shoved at them falsely claiming abortion causes breast cancer and our staff are being threatened, abused and followed to their cars simply for doing their jobs.

“Today, all of that will come to an end."

She has asked people to remain vigilant about protests outside the clinic and said: "There is no room for intimidation in abortion care.”

'Attack on civil liberties'

A representative for the 40 Days for Life campaign in Reading expressed disappointment at the buffer zone.

They said that they go to the centres "to pray peacefully without harassment or intimidation to anyone".

They added: “There are many women up and down the country who have changed their minds only because they had the opportunity to speak to someone who was praying at a vigil outside a clinic.

“I would also like to point out that even silent prayer being banned is a dangerous attack on civil liberties."

They called it a "dangerous precedent and said: “We will continue our pro-life vigils in compliance with the law and continue to pray for an end to abortion and all those affected by it.”