The public will be better protected from terrorism under new laws requiring many public venues to improve preparedness against attacks and bring in measures to help keep people safe.
The new legislation, also known as ‘Martyn’s Law’ in tribute of Martyn Hett who was killed alongside 21 others in the 2017 Manchester Arena attack, will make sure venues across the UK must consider the security of the public, and take steps to protect them from harm.
This will deliver on the government’s manifesto commitment to strengthen the security of public events as well as the Prime Minister’s personal promise to Martyn’s mother, Figen Murray, that he would bring in this law.
Under the changes, a new duty will be placed on those responsible for premises and public events, requiring them to take appropriate action to strengthen public safety, with requirements reflecting the size of the venue and the activity taking place.
Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, said:
Martyn’s Law has been a long time coming.I want to pay tribute to Figen Murray and her campaign team who have tirelessly worked to make this happen.This legislation will strengthen public safety, help protect staff and the public from terrorism and ensure we learn the lessons from the terrible Manchester Arena attack and the inquiry that followed. It is important we now take this forward through Parliament in Martyn’s memory and to help keep people safe.
Figen Murray, mother of Martyn Hett, said:
I want to thank everyone who has played a part in getting the bill to this stage, and especially the Prime Minister, who gave me his word that he would act quickly to introduce Martyn’s Law. He said he would act quickly and he has.Today means we are one step closer to making public spaces safer for everyone. It is also hugely important for my family that Martyn’s Law will be on the statute book ahead of the next anniversary of Martyn’s death.
As set out in the bill, those responsible for premises will be required to fulfil necessary but proportionate steps, according to their capacity, to help keep the public safe. This includes a tiered approach, linked to the size of the venue, how many people will be there and the activity taking place, making sure undue burdens are not placed on small businesses.
A standard tier premises will apply to locations with a capacity of more than 200 people but under 800. These businesses will be asked to undertake simple yet effective activities to put in place procedures to reduce harm to the public in the event of an attack. These could be as simple as training staff to lock doors, close shutters and identify a safe route to cover.
The enhanced tier will apply to premises and events with a capacity of more than 800 individuals, given the devastating impact an attack could have in these spaces. These locations will need to put in place measures such as CCTV or hiring security staff.
Security Minister, Dan Jarvis, said:
We are determined to strengthen security at public events and venues and passing Martyn’s Law will be vital step forward in this objective.Today’s bill is the result of a considerable amount of consultation, consideration and collaboration. I look forward to working with colleagues in Parliament to deliver this important legislation.
Head of Counter Terrorism Policing, Matt Jukes, said:
Through Martyn’s Law we can ensure that the public have additional protection from terrorist attacks while at events and public venues. Counter Terrorism Policing welcomes today’s bill and we look forward to seeing it progress through Parliament. We’re all inspired by and motivated by the experience of victims and survivors. Figen Murray has campaigned tirelessly for Martyn’s Law and it’s thanks to her unwavering determination that we are one step closer to ensuring the public has additional protection in the form of this legislation.We will continue to work with the public, with businesses, and with the government to ensure that when a terrorist attack takes place we have the right mitigations in place that will prevent other families from experiencing those tragedies.
Following Royal Assent, businesses will be given time and support to understand and implement their new obligations and allow for the new regulator to be established. This will include dedicated guidance so that those affected will have the required information on what to do and how best to do it.
Part of being prepared is having a solid, reliable two-way radio communication system in place. If you're unsure about what is required to level up your on-site communications please get in touch. You can call us, email us or use the live chat box in the bottom right of the screen.
Lets work together to make all our schools a safer place.
*text quoted from https://www.gov.uk/government/news/martyns-law-introduced-to-parliament-to-better-protect-the-public-from-terrorism
Martyn's Law Factsheet
This factsheet was updated in September 2024.
The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill, also known as Martyn’s Law, was included in The King’s Speech on 17 July as part of the programme of legislation the Government intends to pursue in this Parliamentary session. The Bill was introduced to Parliament on 12 September 2024 and is currently undergoing Parliamentary scrutiny.
This Bill will deliver the Government’s manifesto commitment to ‘bring in Martyn’s Law to strengthen the security of public events and venues’.
The Government would like to pay tribute to Figen Murray, mother of Martyn Hett, who was killed in the Manchester Arena attack. Her campaigning has been crucial in driving this Bill forward.
Why do we need Martyn’s Law?
Since 2017, Counter Terrorism Policing assesses that there have been 15 domestic terror attacks in the UK (not including Northern Ireland-related terrorism), and agencies and law enforcement have disrupted 43 late-stage plots.
The threat picture is complex, evolving and enduring, with terrorists choosing to attack a broad range of locations. It is therefore right that the Bill requires a range of premises to be better prepared and ready to respond in the event of a terrorist attack.
The Bill is intended to improve protective security and organisational preparedness across the UK. The Bill requires those responsible for premises and events to take steps to mitigate the impact of a terrorist attack and reduce harm in the event of a terrorist attack occurring.
We are aware through independent research and engagement with businesses that, without legal requirements, counter-terrorism security efforts often fall behind legally required activities, such as health and safety.
Our expert security partners assess that individuals are more likely to take action that can reduce harm and save lives, if they have considered what they would do, and how, prior to a terrorist attack occurring.
Seven in ten respondents to the Protect Duty consultationagreed that those responsible for publicly accessible locations should take appropriate and proportionate measures to protect the public from attacks.
What will Martyn’s Law do?
The Bill is intended to ensure public premises and events are better prepared for terrorist attacks and ready to respond. It will require them to take reasonably practicable actions, which vary accordingly, to mitigate the impact of a terrorist attack and reduce physical harm. In addition to this, certain larger premises and events must also take steps to reduce the vulnerability of the premises to terrorist attacks.
This will be done by mandating, for the first time, who is responsible for considering the risk from terrorism and how they would respond to a terrorist attack at certain premises and events.
Dedicated guidance and support will be provided for duty holders to ensure that those in scope have the required information on what to do and how best to do it. The guidance will be easy to follow, needing no particular expertise.
To support enforcement of the regime, a regulator will be established which will support, advise and guide those responsible for premises and events in meeting the requirements of this legislation.
How will it work?
The Bill establishes a tiered approach, linked to the activity that takes place at premises or an event and the number of individuals it is reasonable to expect may be present on the premises at the same time.
Who will be in scope?
Premises that satisfy the following three criteria fall within scope of the Bill:
Premises as defined in the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill (a ‘premises’ is defined in the Bill as being a building (a building includes part of a building or a group of buildings); or
a building and other land.))
Wholly or mainly used for one of more qualifying activity
Meet the thresholds for individuals present at a premises
Events that satisfy the following four criteria fall within scope of the Bill:
The event must take place in a premises as defined in clause 3 of the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill
Host at least 800 attendees at the same time
Meet the ‘express permission’ criteria.
Be accessible to members of the public.
Who is the responsible person?
The responsible person must ensure the requirements of the Bill are met for a qualifying premises or event. Whilst this person may be an individual, in many cases it is anticipated to be an organisation.
The identity of the responsible person will differ depending on whether they are responsible for a premises or an event. For a premises, the responsible person is the person who has control of the premises in connection with its Schedule 1 use/s.
For an event, the responsible person is the person who has control of the premises at which the event is taking place in connection with their use for that event.
What are the requirements for standard duty premises?
Persons responsible for a standard duty premises, i.e. qualifying premises where it is reasonable to expect that between 200 and 799 individuals may be present at the same time, will be required to:
notify the regulator of their premises; and
put in place appropriate and reasonably practicable public protection procedures (as set out in Clause 5 of the Bill).
These procedures are to be followed by people working at the premises if an act of terrorism was to occur at the premises or in the immediate vicinity, which may be expected to reduce the risk of physical harm being caused to individuals. This includes ensuring there are procedures in place to provide information to individuals on the premises and to evacuate, invacuate or lockdown the premises.
The requirements for standard duty premises are focused on simple activities surrounding policies and procedures, which are to be followed by staff in the event of terrorist attack or suspected terrorist attack occurring. The aim of these requirements is to improve staff preparedness and responses. There is no requirement to put in place physical measures in this tier. Furthermore, the reasonably practicable element will enable standard duty premises to tailor their approach to the resources they have available.
What are the requirements for enhanced duty premises and qualifying events?
Enhanced duty premises and qualifying events are premises or events where it is reasonable to expect that 800 or more individuals may be present on the premises or attend the event at the same time. In addition to the same procedures as standard duty premises, persons responsible for enhanced duty premises and qualifying events will be required to:
notify the regulator of their premises/event;
put in place appropriate and reasonably practicable public protection measures that could be expected to reduce both (i) the vulnerability of the premises or event to an act of terrorism occurring at the location, and (ii) the risk of physical harm being caused to individuals if an attack was to occur there or nearby. For example, an enhanced duty premises will be required, insofar as reasonably practicable, to implement measures relating to the monitoring of the premises and their immediate vicinity;
document the public protection procedures and measures in place, or proposed to put in place, and provide this document to the regulator. This document should include an assessment as to how those procedures and measures may be expected to reduce, so far as is reasonably practicable, vulnerability and risk of harm.
Where the responsible person for an enhanced duty premises or qualifying event is not an individual, they must appoint an individual as a designated senior individual with responsibility for ensuring that the relevant requirements are met.
Why are only large events captured?
We want to strike the right balance between proportionality for different premises and events against ensuring appropriate security has been considered and taken forward.
Who is responsible for requirements at a premises or event in scope?
The responsible person must ensure the requirements of the Bill are met for a qualifying premises or events. Whilst this person may be an individual, in many cases it is anticipated to be an organisation.
The identity of the responsible person will differ depending on whether they are responsible for a premises or an event. For a premises, the responsible person is the person who has control of the premises in connection with its Schedule 1 use/s.
For an event, the responsible person is the person who has control of the premises at which the event is taking place in connection with the use of those premises for the event.
How will Martyn’s Law be enforced?
To support enforcement of the regime, a regulator will be established which will seek to support, advise and guide those responsible for premises and events in meeting the requirements of this legislation.
It is the Government’s intention that the regulator function of Martyn’s Law will be delivered as a new function of the Security Industry Authority (SIA).
With its years of experience in increasing security standards around public safety, we believe that this is an exciting opportunity to strengthen the Security Industry Authority's work to create a body that improves public safety around people and places across the UK.
There will be a period of time prior to the implementation of the legislation following Royal Assent. We expect this period to be at least 24 months to allow for the set-up of the regulator and to ensure sufficient time for those responsible for premises and events in scope to understand their new obligations, and to plan and prepare.
How will you ensure this doesn’t create undue burden on businesses?
The legislation is designed with proportionality in mind. It is reasonable that, in many locations, they should take appropriate, reasonably practicable actions to protect staff and the public from the horrific impacts and effects of terrorism.
The provisions in the Bill have been developed following engagement with the Martyn’s Law campaign team, expert security partners, businesses and local authorities, including two public consultations and pre-legislative scrutiny of the draft Bill by the Home Affairs Select Committee.
For smaller venues, the legislation focuses on having appropriate procedures in place in the event of an attack. There will be no expectation to buy costly measures.
For enhanced tier premises and events requirements are based on reasonably practicable public protection procedures and measures.
Is there support for this legislation?
The provisions in the Bill have been developed following engagement with the Martyn’s Law campaign team, expert security partners, businesses and local authorities, including two public consultations and pre-legislative scrutiny of the draft Bill.
The Police recognise the importance of Martyn’s Law in helping organisations to mitigate the impact of a terrorist attack and reduce physical harm. Head of Counter Terrorism Policing, Matt Jukes, said: “I welcome the opportunity that this Bill brings to drive greater consistency in the partnership that we already enjoy with businesses and communities.... we know that the contribution of the public to countering the terror threat is real—it is present in our communities every single day, and it is present in the best-performing businesses in this space.... There is an opportunity presented by the framework created by this Bill for people to take simple low or no-cost steps that will save lives”.
Seven in ten respondents to the Protect Duty consultation agreed that those responsible for publicly accessible locations should take appropriate and proportionate measures to protect the public from attacks.
Learning from previous inquests and inquiries, such as the Manchester Arena Inquiry, demonstrated the need for clarity on the duties for venue owners regarding protective security, and recommended the introduction of legislation to improve the safety and security of public venues.
Our engagement on the proposals, how they impact those in scope and how we can work together to improve public security continues with a wide range of stakeholders.
How will my business or organisation be supported on Martyn’s Law?
Dedicated guidance and support will be provided for duty holders to ensure that those in scope have the required information on what to do and how best to do it. The guidance will be easy to follow, needing no particular expertise.
The Bill is not yet law and its provisions are subject to change during the Parliamentary stages. Neither the Home Office nor the National Counter Terrorism Security Office endorse any third-party products or providers. We continue to encourage referral to the ProtectUK platform for all guidance and updates on the Bill.
Will Martyn’s Law apply to all of the UK?
The legislation will apply across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, as national security is a reserved matter for the UK Government.
Comments