Richmond council has taken steps to stop anti-abortion campaigners from protesting outside an abortion clinic run by the British Pregnancy Advisory Service. It is the second buffer zone to be introduced in the UK after Ealing Council's cabinet members unanimously voted to implement a Public Spaces Protection Order around the Marie Stopes clinic last April.
The council in Richmond, South West London, voted on the decision on Tuesday evening. In a statement, BPAS said the order would allow its clinic to 'offer a safe and accessible health service' to women who have previously complained about harassment and intimidation by protesters.
'The team strongly believe in the right for women to make decisions about their own body without judgement or fear and this decision will allow all our staff to carry on creating a safe space for women to safely discuss and explore their pregnancy options,' Matthew Richards, treatment unit manager at BPAS Richmond said.
According to BPAS, 323 separate people complained to the clinic about the protest surrounding the building on Rosslyn Road during a one month period at the end of last year.
At a council meeting last month, Rachael Clarke, a public affairs and advocacy manager at BPAS read out notes recording the consequences of the protests, the Richmond & Twickenham Times reported. Women were said to feel 'scared, upset and ashamed' after being faced with protesters or seeing their posters and leaflets.
The Good Counsel Network, which holds vigils outside the centre, also attended the meeting, but denied harassing the women.
Pro-choice group Sister Supporter has welcomed the news on Twitter. After a successful campaign supporting the move in Ealing, the group is now petitioning to Manchester Council for a PSPO around all abortion clinics.
