POLICE are investigating up to 50 possible breaches of laws to protect people from harassment outside abortion clinics in Northern Ireland.
Measures for Safe Access Zones (SAZs) outside eight clinics came into effect in Northern Ireland in September.
The BBC has now reported that the vast majority of incidents took place at the Causeway Hospital in Coleraine.
The legislation makes it illegal for people within the zones outside the clinics to be “impeded, recorded, influences or to be caused harassment, alarm or distress”.
A criminal offence that can carry a fine of up to £500, the safe zones can be as large as between 100m (328ft) and 250m (820ft) outside a designated clinic.
Pro-choice campaigners as well as two MLAs are now calling for the safe zones to be extended by up to 250m (820ft).
The PSNI’s preliminary figures have stated that since September there were 20 incidents reported within the Northern Trust area, which led to 35 reports being made to police.
A total of 11 incidents were reported in the Southern Trust, two in the Western Trust, one in the Belfast Trust and none in the South Eastern Trust.
Two arrests have been made to date, both at the Causeway Hospital, but police have commented that a policy of “engage, explain and encourage” has been successful in implementing the laws.
The Northern Trust has told the BBC that it intends to keep the width of the SAZ under review.
It follows an incident in November where police seized a sign near the Lodge Road roundabout that compared the Causeway Hospital to a Nazi concentration camp.
Three people were said to be cautioned for public order offences over the incident.
Lauren McAuley from the North Coast for Choice group said that other posters and placards, including images of white crosses, were upsetting.
“I believe that the protesters who come here are not showing any remorse or sympathy for those who may need abortion services,” she told the BBC.
“I would defend anyone’s right to protest but nobody needs to protest outside a hospital.
“Where the protesters stand is on a very busy roundabout and there are schools nearby.”
“People feel harassed - you must have some understanding for what people are going through.
“The 100-metre safe access zone in place is not enough. It can be extended and should be extended”.
Gemma Brolly, deputy leader of the anti-abortion party Aontú, said that her party was not involved in the protests but extending the SAZs would not help.
Gemma Brolly is the deputy leader of the anti-abortion party Aontú.
“I can’t see what difference 250 metres is going to make” she said.
“I believe it can only escalate “the situation further and I find it worrying and disappointing.
The SDLP MLA Cara Hunter and independent MLA Claire Sugden both criticised the “shocking” nature of the protests.
Ms Hunter said: “There is a right to protest but for many it’s traumatising seeing some of the imagery here.
“I have asked the Northern Trust for an interim report to identify concerns from constituents.”
Ms Sugden, who previously served as Justice Minister, added: “People have a right to protest but not when others are being harmed by it.”
A spokesperson for the Northern Trust said that the 100 metre limit at Causeway Hospital had been carefully considered.
“We will continue to keep this under review. While we recognise and acknowledge the legitimate right to peaceful protest, we also have a duty of care to both patients and staff,” they said.
