Martyn's Law

What is Martyn’s Law?

Martyn’s Law, officially the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill, is pivotal UK legislation designed to enhance public safety by mandating proactive security measures in qualifying public venues. Named in honour of Martyn Hett, who tragically died in the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing, it aims to prevent and reduce harm in future terrorist attacks.

The law introduces a tiered system:

• Standard Tier: For venues with a capacity of 100+.
• Enhanced Tier: For venues with a capacity of 800+.

These tiers establish proportionate security duties, requiring risk assessments for standard duty premises and, in the Enhanced Tier, comprehensive security plans. For detailed Martyn’s Law compliance guidance, please explore the sections below.

Understanding the Protect Duty: Legal Obligations for Venues

The Protect Duty, synonymous with Martyn’s Law, establishes the specific legal obligations for qualifying venues. It mandates a proactive approach to counter-terrorism, shifting the onus onto owners and operators to understand and mitigate potential risks. Core requirements for Protect Duty compliance include:

• Risk Assessments: Venues must conduct thorough risk assessments to identify vulnerabilities to terrorist activity, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of potential threats.
• Proportionate Measures: Based on the risks identified, venues must implement their own security measures. This may involve staff training to enhance counter-terrorism awareness, physical security enhancements, or the installation of advanced security systems.
• Security Plans (Enhanced Tier): Venues in the Enhanced Tier must develop and maintain detailed security plans, outlining procedures for preventing and responding to terrorist attacks, ensuring a robust counter-terrorism strategy.

The Protect Duty emphasises a culture of preparedness, ensuring that venues are equipped to protect the public and comply with Martyn’s Law. Dedicated guidance will be provided to duty holders, simplifying compliance by offering accessible and clear information on the necessary measures to implement.

Who Does Martyn’s Law Affect? Identifying Qualifying Public Venues

Martyn’s Law will apply to a wide range of locations across the UK. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Entertainment venues (e.g., theatres, cinemas, concert halls)
• Sports stadiums and arenas
• Shopping centres and retail spaces
• Places of worship
• Public parks and spaces
• Large Organisations.

Specifically:

• Standard Tier: Applies to any location with a capacity of 100 or more individuals, requiring basic risk assessment and mitigation.
• Enhanced Tier: Applies to locations with a capacity of 800 or more individuals, necessitating comprehensive security planning and implementation.

It is the responsibility of venue operators to accurately determine their capacity and implement their own security measures in order to ensure full compliance with the appropriate tier of Martyn’s Law. Implementing protective security measures is crucial to enhance safety against terrorism and hate crimes, supported by government initiatives and funding.

What is a publicly accessible location?

Under this legislation, publicly accessible locations are deemed to be anywhere that a person can gain access, either by payment or free access, and in accordance with express and implied consent.

Whilst not exhaustive, these would include: supermarkets, larger retail store, department stores, food and drink venues, leisure centres, museums and galleries, sports grounds, concert and live music venues, schools, places of worship, hospitals and other NHS or private medical facilities, visitor attractions, public areas of central government buildings, government offices and town halls.

How We Can Help You Achieve Martyn’s Law Compliance?

Navigating the complexities of Martyn’s Law and ensuring Protect Duty compliance can be challenging. We offer expert guidance and support to help your organisation achieve full regulatory adherence. Our services include: The government’s manifesto commitment to introduce Martyn’s Law underscores the importance of our services in enhancing public safety.

• Risk Assessment Support: Assisting with the development and execution of thorough risk assessments leading to greater mitigation measures for your public venue.
• Security Plan Development: Creating comprehensive security plans tailored to your specific needs, designed to mitigate threats and ensure compliance with Enhanced Tier requirements.
• Staff Training: By providing and putting in place specialised staff training programs we can enhance counter-terrorism awareness, preparedness, train staff response to various attack methods and provide a more effective security culture.
• Compliance Audits: Conducting detailed audits to ensure your existing security measures meet all legal requirements under Martyn’s Law.
• Ongoing Support: Providing continuous guidance and updates on evolving legislation, ensuring long-term compliance.

We are now able to commit to helping you create safer public spaces and achieve seamless Martyn’s Law compliance following the Martyn’s Law campaign team who have collaborated with various stakeholders to advocate for these essential security measures.

What is the duty to protect consultation?

In the wake of the Manchester arena attack the Protect Duty consultation sought the best possible way in which the government and public sector partners could come together to create appropriate and proportionate measures that improve protective security and public safety by creating a preparedness plan specific to each venue which will help to prevent a further successful attack and reduce the overall terrorist threat. The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill, known as Martyn’s Law, is currently undergoing parliamentary scrutiny as it was introduced to Parliament.

What is the new UK terrorism Law?

Those convicted of serious terror crimes can now face arbitrary sentences in judicial proceedings under 2021, which prohibits them from being released from jail until a later date or for a longer time in prison.

Who are we?

We are a team of qualified Security and Risk Management Consultants with operational backgrounds, including UK Government Terrorism Assessment Centre, Counter Terrorism Policing and UK Armed Policing.
We are uniquely skilled, with operational exposure to terrorist and mass casualty events. We have worked and delivered training at Governmental level, with local authorities; the business community and community groups, ensuring and improving public security at every level, from local to national security.

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