A ban on protests and vigils outside the abortion clinic in Reading has come into force.
Abortions to end pregnancies are undertaken at the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) in London Street.
Pro-Life groups have held regular vigils undertaken on Saturdays and as part of the ’40 Days for Life’ campaigns which have called for an end to abortion worldwide.
But now pro-Life vigils outside the centre must take place a distance of 150 metres away.
The change came into force on Thursday, October 31, two years after exclusion zones were discussed in Parliament.
Their implementation has been welcomed by BPAS. Heidi Stewart, the CEO of the organisation said: “This is a huge day for campaigners who have fought for a decade for safe access zones around abortion clinics, led by BPAS.
“But most importantly, this is a huge day for women.
“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. And my message to anyone considering approaching abortion clinics with any form of malicious or intimidatory intent – do so at your own risk.
“Not only will we be remaining vigilant and reporting any activity outside our clinics, we will be urging the public to do the same. There is no room for intimidation in abortion care.”
Meanwhile, a representative for the 40 Days for Life campaign in Reading said: “It is disappointing to us that the buffer zone is to be implemented.
We have always maintained that we go there to pray peacefully without harassment or intimidation to anyone, as stated in the 40 Days for Life statement of peace with which anyone has to agree and sign before praying outside the clinic.
“We pray outside as this is where the abortions are taking place, and we are being a witness to the fact that this is happening in local communities.
“We also believe that many women do not feel they have a choice when they go in for an abortion and by having people there it gives women a opportunity to change their minds and put them in touch with charities who can support them in ways they might not have otherwise received.
“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.
“Why can’t we pray where we wish in our thoughts and how is that affecting anyone else if there is no sign to say that they are doing? It is a dangerous precedent to set.
“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.”
Pro-Life activists have previously held roadside banner campaigns in Kings Road, and a contingent of people from Reading attend the March for Life in London each September.
In 2022, Reading Borough councillors unanimously approved a move to seek a Public Space Protection Order to create a buffer around the BPAS clinic.
