Sussex MPs were split on proposals to introduce buffer zones around abortion clinics and hospitals in England and Wales.

Of the 16 MPs in the county, five voted in favour of the amendment to the Public Order Bill, in a bid to offer greater protection to women by preventing protesters from gathering.

Those who voted in favour included Brighton and Hove’s Labour MPs Peter Kyle and Lloyd Russell-Moyle, Green MP for Brighton Pavilion Caroline Lucas, East Worthing and Shoreham MP Tim Loughton and Bexhill MP Huw Merriman.

The move, pushed by a cross-party group of MPs, would introduce buffer zones around abortion clinics and hospitals where it would be an offence.

Those convicted could face up to six months in jail for a first offence or two years for further offences.

A buffer zone would apply to an area which is within 150 metres from any part of an abortion clinic or access point to any building or site that contains an abortion clinic.

MPs were given a free vote on the matter, with six Sussex Conservative MPs voting against the proposal; Arundel MP Andrew Griffith, Crawley MP Henry Smith, Eastbourne MP Caroline Ansell, Hastings MP Sally-Ann Hart, Horsham MP Jeremy Quin and Lewes MP Maria Caulfield.

Mid Sussex MP Mims Davies, Bognor MP Nick Gibb, Chichester MP Gillian Keegan, Worthing West MP Sir Peter Bottomley and Wealden MP Nusrat Ghani did not vote on the amendment.

Clare Murphy, chief executive of the British Pregnancy Advisory Service, said: “Every year around 100,000 women are treated by a clinic or hospital for an abortion that is targeted by anti-abortion protests.

“These groups attempt to deter or prevent women from accessing abortion care by displaying graphic images of foetuses, calling women murderers, and hanging baby clothing around clinic entrances, causing women significant distress.

“This vote will bring an end to this activity.”

Mr Quin, a minister for the Home Office, described the amendment as a “blunt instrument”.

During a parliamentary debate, he said: “Within those 150-metre buffer zones there could be houses, there could be churches, but this would be a national decision covering all clinics.

“It is entirely possible to support totally a woman’s right to an abortion and also view protests outside abortion clinics as abhorrent, while still believing that the current legislative framework provides an appropriate response.”

The Argus contacted all six Sussex MPs who voted against the amendment for comment.