The measure covers all clinics and private hospitals under the Abortion Act 1967, as well as NHS sites that have performed abortions in the past two years. Credit: Kichigin / Shutterstock.

The UK Government has set a date for the enforcement of protection zones around abortion clinics, aiming to increase the safety and privacy of women seeking abortion services.

From 31 October, it will be illegal to engage in activities within a 150m radius of these clinics that could ‘influence, obstruct or distress’ individuals seeking or providing abortions.

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The measure covers all clinics and private hospitals approved under the Abortion Act 1967, as well as NHS hospitals that have reported performing abortions in the current or previous year.

The law carries the possibility of an unlimited fine for violations and aims to ensure that access to abortion services is unimpeded.

The College of Policing and the Crown Prosecution Service are developing guidance to support the enforcement of the legislation, with this expected to be published before 31 October.

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According to the government, protection zones must be adjacent to public roads or open spaces accessible to the public, including areas attached to or visible from clinics.

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UK Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips said: “The right to access abortion services is a fundamental right for women in this country, and no one should feel unsafe when they seek to access this.

“We will not sit back and tolerate harassment, abuse and intimidation as people exercise their legal right to healthcare, which is why we have fast-tracked this measure to get it up and running without further delay.

“For too long, abortion clinics have been without these vital protections, and this government is determined to do all we can do to make this country a safer place for women.”

Safe access zones were introduced through the Public Order Act 2023 and received cross-party support in Parliament.

The BBC reported that while Parliament approved the law in May 2023, the government chose to conduct a consultation on the guidance before implementing the buffer zones.