BUFFER zones will come into force around abortion clinics across England and Wales from the end of next month.

From October 31, protection zones will prohibit protests within a 150-metre radius around the clinics.

Under the new rules, which fall under the Public Order Act, it will be illegal to hand out anti-abortion leaflets within the buffer zone or obstruct anyone using or working at the clinic. 

Anyone convicted for doing so will face an unlimited fine.

There had been debates around the law’s implementation under the previous Tory government, due to the issue of silent praying outside the clinics.

As it stands, the new legislation prohibits harassment, intimidation and any form of influence.

Further guidance will be published by the College of Policing and Crown Prosecution Service in the coming weeks.

Heidi Stewart, chief executive of the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (Bpas), said she is hopeful concerns around silent prayer have been recognised. 

“For the safety, dignity and wellbeing of women accessing healthcare, we must ensure that all forms of harassment are prohibited outside abortion clinics.”

Adam Smith-Connor, who was criminally charged for praying silently near an abortion facility, appeared on trial in Poole on Wednesday.

He is represented by the UK branch of Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), a US-based pressure group which helped overturn Roe v Wade, the Supreme Court ruling that gave women the constitutional right to abortion in the United States.

As it ramps up its influence in Britain, ADF’s British branch saw its spending increase to almost £1m 2023 compared with £392,556 in 2020.