Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department has provided guidance to the police on making assessments of whether a Public Spaces Protection Order around an abortion clinic has been breached in respect of prayer.

In June 2022 the Government published updated statutory guidance on the use of Antisocial Behaviour powers, including Public Spaces Protection Orders. This can be found here - Anti-social behaviour powers (publishing.service.gov.uk).

Decisions regarding the imposition of Public Space Protection Orders, and what restrictions are included are matters for the local authority which is required to consider people’s rights under the European Convention on Human Rights.

The enforcement of Public Space Protection Orders is a matter for the local authority and other relevant local partners, including the police, in line with wider human rights considerations.