Merrick Garland, the US attorney-general, has vowed to crack down on attacks against reproductive health clinics across the country after Texas imposed draconian curbs on abortion in a controversial state law that the Supreme Court refused to block.

“The [justice] department will provide support from federal law enforcement when an abortion clinic or reproductive health centre is under attack,” Garland said in a statement on Monday, adding that officials had contacted US Attorney’s Offices and FBI field offices in Texas and other states.

“We will not tolerate violence against those seeking to obtain or provide reproductive health services, physical obstruction or property damage in violation of the FACE Act,” he said referring to the 1994 Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances law.