'Buffer zone' law banning anti-abortion protests comes into force in England and Wales

On Thursday, October 31, a national ‘buffer zone’ law came into force across England and Wales, excluding protests outside abortion facilities.

On the day the new law was introduced, Crown Prosecution Services (CPS) released new guidance clarifying that silent prayer in an abortion buffer zone is “not necessarily” a crime, an investigator said. press release from Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) UK.

The implementation of the national buffer zone law comes more than a year after parliament passed the Public Order Act 2023 new law makes “interference with a person’s decision to access, provide, or facilitate abortion services” within 150 meters (nearly 500 feet) of an abortion facility a criminal offense.

The law also makes illegal any act that “causes intimidation or distress to anyone working in or using these premises.”

Previously, buffer zones were only in force in five councils in the UK. The penalty for violating the Public Order Act is a maximum of six months’ imprisonment and unlimited fines.

The law has been the subject of controversy and debate in parliamentary chambers for months ahead of its introduction, amid questions about what could be construed as intimidation after several pro-life protesters were prosecuted for silent prayer outside abortion clinics.

Before the CPS clarification, ADF UK had a petition last week to British Prime Minister Kier Starmer collected almost 60,000 signaturesasking him not to pass the law, which the petition said was responsible for “creating thoughtcrime,” citing the arrests of individuals who had prayed silently outside abortion clinics.

Pro-life activist Isabel Vaughan-Spruce, director of March for Life UK, called the decision to pass the law a “national disgrace”.

Today, October 31, 2024, buffer zones are to be implemented around every abortion center in England and Wales. this is a ‘national shame’, please view and share March for Life UK’s statement in response to this. pic.twitter.com/Ufi0Nhc4qm

— March4LifeUK (@March4LifeUK) October 31, 2024

Similarly, the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) UK described the occasion of the law’s passing as “a day of shame for England and Wales” and “a chilling moment in Britain’s history.”

A day of shame for England and Wales as buffer zone legislation is enforced.

As of today, praying against abortion and offering support to women near abortion clinics are now considered crimes.

Freedom to pray, freedom to think and the defense of precious human life… pic.twitter.com/pfx6QF3GSB

— SPUC Pro-Life (@spucprolife) October 31, 2024

Army veteran and pro-life protester Adam Smith-Connor, who was recently convicted of silent prayer, also took to social media in light of the new law’s implementation with a video statement.

“With buffer zones being rolled out across the country and CPS guidelines admitting that silent prayer is ‘not necessarily’ a criminal offence, I am pleased to confirm that I will be appealing my conviction,” he said in a post on .

With buffer zones being rolled out across the country, and CPS guidelines admitting that silent prayer is “not necessarily” a criminal offence, I am pleased to confirm that I will be appealing against my conviction.

If you would like to support my call, please visit: pic.twitter.com/BonMHZ5GV3

— Adam Smith-Connor (@ChooseLifeSoton) October 31, 2024

Smith-Connor was convicted on October 16 after Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole Council accused him of praying in the buffer zone of an abortion clinic.