Anti-vaxx ‘idiots’ set for school gate ban

PrOTEST exclusion zones could be imposed around schools to stop antivaxx ‘idiots’ harassing pupils.

Health Secretary Sajid javid said children have been injured in clashes with protesters who are spreading ‘vicious lies’ about jabs.

Labour has called for councils to be able to use exclusion orders to prevent staff and pupils being intimidated.

Now Mr javid has said the measures could be an option. Questioned on Sky News about protests in which three children were injured, he said: ‘These people are doing so much damage. First of all, here you have three children that are injured, actually physically injured, and that’s heartbreaking to see – children going about what they should be doing, going to school every day, and you’ve got, frankly, these idiots outside their school spreading vicious lies.

‘it is becoming a growing problem as time goes by.’ He said there are options for tackling the problem – ‘in terms of whether it’s an exclusion zone, or other potential action, i think it’s got to be done at a local level’.

‘if you’ve injured children, that is a criminal act and i hope in that case police are able to track those people down.’

The association of School and College Leaders revealed earlier this month that 79 per cent of schools surveyed by the union have been targeted by anti-vaxxers.

Public spaces protection orders (PSPOs) can be used to disperse people from a public area and have previously been used to move on protesters outside abortion clinics, or to allow police to confiscate alcohol.

However, gaining permission to impose one takes time and significant consultation. Labour is calling for an expedited process where the order is intended to prevent harassment and intimidation of children outside schools. The party said a PSPO could be in place within five days, and remain in force for six months.