Starmer calls for buffer zones to prevent ‘dangerous’ anti-vaxx school protests

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has hit out at anti-vaccine protests near schools this morning, calling them “sickening” for spreading “dangerous misinformation” to children.

He said that public spaces protection orders (PSPOs) “urgently” need to be updated to permit local authorities to ban these protests in the areas around schools.

PSPOs, sometimes called ‘buffer zones’ in the context of their use against protests, are used to disperse people from public areas and have already been used to clamp down on demonstrations outside abortion facilities.

PSPOs require extensive consultation before implementation can be considered, however if a school along with the local council leader, and police chief constable were to respectively agree to a fast-track where the harassment and intimidation of minors is involved, the process could be sped up.

Sir Keir also complained that the vaccine rollout among 12-15 year olds is too low, and that the government must do “everything” to get eligible children vaccinated, potentially suggesting that he thinks anti-vaccine protests around schools are discouraging eligible youngsters to get jabbed.