POLICE have had to deal with almost 200 incidents outside the Marie Stopes abortion clinic in Belfast – including reports of harassment, assault and criminal damage.
Dozens of incidents of alleged anti-social behaviour and harassment have been handled by the PSNI since the clinic opened less than three years ago.
Pro-life campaigners regularly hold demonstrations outside the Marie Stopes clinic on Great Victoria Street in the city centre.
A total of 183 incidents have been reported to the PSNI since the clinic opened, records obtained by The Irish News reveal.
Neighbourhood officers are required to police the area as part of their routine patrols.
Police received 45 reports of alleged anti-social behaviour, 13 assault allegations and one criminal damage report.
Almost 80 protests or demonstrations and one alleged breach of an order were also reported to officers, according to a freedom of information request.
Marie Stopes opened in Belfast in October 2012 – the first private clinic to offer abortions in Northern Ireland.
In November Bernie Smyth, who leads anti-abortion group Precious Life, was convicted of harassing former clinic director Dawn Purvis at the centre. She is due to appeal the conviction.
Marie Stopes said it received more than 100 applications earlier this year for volunteers to help escort women entering and leaving the Belfast clinic.
UK clinical director Jason Warriner described the response as a "heartening show of support".
"We respect everyone's right to peaceful protest, and we hope that protestors in turn will respect every woman's right to access legal health services," he said.
Amnesty's Grainne Teggart said: "No-one should be harassed for providing or availing of vital healthcare services, including abortion."
Belfast-based solicitor Aidan Carlin, who represents Precious Life and other pro-life groups, defended the demonstrations.
"Their presence isn't to harass anyone or to in any way inhibit anyone's rights, but equally they would assert their own rights such as freedom of expression and freedom of assembly," he said.
Mr Carlin said the situation was more complex than suggested by the figures.
"Some of the statistics may well be from members of the pro-life movement about harassment they have received," he said.
PSNI Sergeant Sharon Cromie said resources have not been affected by dealing with incidents outside Marie Stopes.
"The safety and well-being of our community requires a partnership approach and to ensure we get that we regularly meet with representatives from Marie Stopes to discuss and address issues that may arise," she said.
"The Police Service of Northern Ireland are committed to keeping people safe and to provide local communities with the level of policing and support they deserve."
The Belfast High Court is currently considering a legal challenge to the north's abortion law.
The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission is seeking to legalise abortion in cases of serious foetal malformation, rape and incest.
Currently the law in Northern Ireland only allows for abortion to save a woman's life or if there is a risk of permanent and serious damage to her mental or physical health.
