UK Passes Terror Law After Manchester Arena Findings Released
UK Passes Terror Law – UK has passed security legislation called Martyn’s Law, which imposes security standards on public spaces, after the findings of an investigation into a 2017 terrorist attack in Manchester, England.
A shrapnel bomb detonated by an Islamist extremist suicide bomber at an Ariana Grande concert at the Manchester Arena injured 1017, many of them children, and killed 21, with hundreds more suffering psychological trauma. The recently concluded investigation and its aftermath led to the announcement of a Protect Duty to be imposed on venues, named Martyn’s Law in honour of victim, Martyn Hett.
Working closely with security partners, business and victims’ groups, including Martyn Hett’s mother, Figen Murray, and the Martyn’s Law Campaign Team, and Survivors Against Terror, the Protect Duty will require venues to take steps to improve public safety, with measures dependent on the size of the venue and the activity taking place.
Martyn’s Law consists of 5 requirements:
• A requirement that spaces and places to which the public have access engage with freely available counter-terrorism advice and training • A requirement for those places to conduct vulnerability assessments of their operating places and spaces • A requirement for those places to mitigate the risks created by the vulnerabilities • A requirement for those places to have a counter-terrorism plan • A requirement for local authorities to plan for the threat of terrorism.
Martyn’s Law follows a tiered model linked to activity that takes place at a location and its capacity aimed to prevent undue burden on businesses.
A standard tier will apply to locations with a maximum capacity of over 100 which can undertake low-cost, simple yet effective activities to improve preparedness. This will include training, information sharing and completion of a preparedness plan to embed practices, such as locking doors to delay attackers progress or knowledge on lifesaving treatments that can be administered by staff whilst awaiting emergency services.
An enhanced tier will focus on high-capacity locations in recognition of the potential consequences of a successful attack. Locations with a capacity of over 800 people at any time, will additionally be required to undertake a risk assessment to inform the development and implementation of a thorough security plan. Subsequent measures could include developing a vigilance and security culture, implementation of physical measures like CCTV or new systems and processes to enable better consideration of security.
UK Passes Terror Law
“Martyn’s Law isn’t going to stop terrorism, but common sense security, and making sure venues are doing all they can to keep people safe, could mean fewer people suffer what myself and the families of Manchester have had to endure,” Figen Murray said recently.
“I welcome the government’s commitment to including smaller venues and working quickly on this legislation. It is vital we now take the necessary steps to protect ourselves and others wherever possible and I hope other countries learn from this ground-breaking legislation.”
Importantly, the UK government will establish an inspection and enforcement regime, promoting compliance and positive cultural change and issuing credible and fair sanctions for serious breaches, and Martyn’s Law will apply across the whole of the United Kingdom.
Meanwhile, dedicated statutory guidance and bespoke support will be provided by the government to ensure those in scope can effectively discharge their responsibilities, with even small venues also able to benefit from this and take voluntary action. Expert advice, training and guidance is also already available on the online protective security hub, ProtectUK.
According to Britain’s Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, protecting the public from danger is a key responsibility of any government.
“The terrorist threat we face is diverse and continually evolving, which is why this legislation is so important,” Braverman said.
You can find out more about UK passes terror law here, read about ANZCTC’S Strategy for Protecting Crowded Places from Terrorism in Australia and New Zealand here, and see more news from SEN here.
“UK Passes Terror Law After Manchester Arena Findings Released.”
