British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) said it had previously seen groups of up to 30 people protesting outside its local branch, reports Grace Howarth, Local Democracy Reporter

The manager of an abortion clinic in Finsbury Park says she’s “relieved” following the introduction of safe zones which will make it illegal to protest or harass staff and patients. 

The Home Office confirmed last month that ‘buffer zones’, providing staff and patients with safe access to abortion clinics, will come into force on Thursday, 31st October. 

The Finsbury Park branch of the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS), an NHS-funded charity, said it had experienced groups of up to 30 people, with some dressed as monks, protesting outside the clinic intimidating staff and patients as well as anti-abortion leaflets being handed out.

Vikki Webb, BPAS Finsbury Park’s clinic manager, said: “All of the staff at BPAS Finsbury Park are very relieved that from the 31st October we will no longer have to live with the constant threat of protesters appearing at our clinic door to intimidate and upset our patients and staff. 

“It simply isn’t fair that women and staff fear coming to the clinic because they may be handed a leaflet by a woman following them up the path with a baby in a pushchair, or encounter 30 people stood outside the clinic, some dressed as monks, watching them access private medical care – both of which have happened in recent years at our clinic.”

Speaking in her latest newsletter on the law’s introduction, Hornsey and Friern Barnet MP Catherine West described the enforcement as long overdue. 

She said: “No woman should ever face intimidation for accessing abortion services, yet despite parliament voting for ‘buffer zones’ almost two years ago, with my full support, the Tories failed to bring them into law.”

Detailing the “distressing impact on staff and clients” she witnessed at the clinic, West said she was “delighted that Labour has acted swiftly”. 

Vikki added: “The implementation of safe access zones will have a positive effect on everyone – patients will be able to access our services without fear and we can deliver the healthcare they require in a safe and supportive environment.”

The protection zones will extend to a 150-metre radius around abortion services and those convicted of breaking the new law will face an unlimited fine. 

Similar legislation will come into force in Wales and Scotland. In Scotland people breaking the law could be fined up to £10,000 or an unlimited amount in more serious cases. 

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