Bucks Council has slammed any attempt by ‘anti-vaxxers’ to approach students on school grounds.
It comes after a spate of recent demonstrations at local schools, including The Beaconsfield School, Amersham School, and Sir William Borlase in Marlow.
Some reports were of protesters allegedly taking photos of “every child” they leafleted.
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While others saw police called when protesters were seen allegedly “harassing” children and “arguing” with teachers.
One protester at The Beaconsfield School also allegedly had a QR code on a loudspeaker, directing pupils to an anti-vax song.
Bucks Council’s statement is also in response to a request from the government by Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer for exclusion zones around school gates against such protests.
The local authority said anyone “has a right to peaceful protest on public land”, but that it condemns “in the strongest possible terms” harassing schoolchildren “with dangerous propaganda”.
Beaconsfield High School head teacher Mrs Rachel Smith said she remains “very concerned” about pupil safety after ‘anti-vaxxers’ allegedly photographed students from neighbouring The Beaconsfield School.
Anti-vax graffiti was also recently sprayed at the site of the under-construction Beaconsfield Primary Care Centre along the A40.
However, its meaning was completely changed when an extra word was later added to the start – changing it to “Dumb kids don’t take the vaccine” – before it was removed altogether.
Cabinet member for education and children’s services, Cllr Anita Cranmer said: “We condemn in the strongest possible terms anyone approaching or harassing school-age children with dangerous propaganda or for any other reason.
“As a council, we have provided advice to schools as to what actions they can take using current legislation and guidance should any anti-vax protestors try to approach students on school grounds – which under the Education Act 1996 is a criminal offence.
“Anyone has a right to peaceful protest on public land – however, should approaches be made to schoolchildren in town centres or other public spaces, which cause distress, this is completely deplorable and should be treated as a matter for the police.”
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