In a landmark announcement during today's King's Speech, His Majesty revealed the introduction of The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill, a new piece of legislation aimed at bolstering public safety across the United Kingdom.
Also known as 'Martyn's Law' in honour of Martyn Hett, a victim of the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing, this law marks a significant step forward in the nation's counter-terrorism measures.
The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill previously featured in the King's Speech on 7th November 2023, when it was unveiled in the programme of legislation the (previous) Government intended to pursue in its pending Parliamentary session.
Following public consultation over 'Martyn's Law', the Bill now moves to the next phase with its' pending introduction to UK law.
Key Provisions of Martyn's Law
Mandating, for the first time, those responsible for certain premises and events to consider the risk of terrorism and how they would respond to an attack, the introduction of The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill will improve protective security and organisational preparedness across the UK.
This will be achieved through 4 key provisions:
- Enhanced Security Requirements: Public venues and spaces will be mandated to implement stronger security protocols. This includes conducting thorough risk assessments, ensuring robust emergency response plans, and providing adequate training for staff to handle potential threats.
- Tiered Approach: The law introduces a tiered system based on the capacity and type of venue, ensuring that security measures are proportionate to the level of risk associated with each location. Smaller venues will have simplified requirements, while larger, high-risk venues will be subject to more rigorous standards.
- Regular Inspections and Compliance: A dedicated body will oversee the enforcement of Martyn's Law, conducting regular inspections to ensure compliance. Venues found to be non-compliant will face substantial fines and possible closure until necessary improvements are made.
- Public Awareness Campaigns: In conjunction with the new law, the government will launch a series of public awareness campaigns to educate citizens on recognising and responding to potential threats. This initiative aims to foster a culture of vigilance and preparedness within communities.
Resources to Prepare for Martyn's Law
Although 'Martyn's Law' hasn't yet come into effect, you can begin your preparation now.
To support you in this process, we developed the Sentinel: Protect Duty App to improve the security of public venues and prepare for the upcoming Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill.
The app is free and available for download on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
How the app helps:
- Action Cards: Each card aligns to a security incident or activity and provides recommended actions to respond effectively.
- Dice: A repository of questions tests your knowledge to assess response readiness for each security incident outlined in the corresponding Action Card.
- Stats: Gain insight into your training progress by seeing the percentage of questions you correctly answered.
The Action Cards and test questions are created by Chris Phillips - Counter Terrorism Expert - GCGI, FCiiSCM, FSyl. Chris is the Founder and Managing Director of the International Protect and Prepare Security Office (IPPSO). His specialism is the field of strategic counter terrorism advice and best practice.
