Protect Duty (Martyn’s Law)
How do we safeguard Public Spaces?
On 22 May 2017, an Islamist extremist suicide bomber detonated a shrapnel-laden homemade bomb as people were leaving the Manchester Arena following a concert by US singer Ariana Grande. Twenty-three people died, including the attacker, and 139 were wounded, more than half of them children. One of those killed was Martyn Hett, Figen Murray’s son. Since that fateful day, Figen has campaigned tirelessly to get legislation passed by the Government to have a series of safety protocols put in place for venues and public places nationwide – Martyn’s Law.
“Whilst subject to consultation, the intention is that the (Protect) Duty would apply to specified owners and operators of public venues, large organisations and those responsible for public spaces.
It would require those in scope to consider terrorist threats and consider and implement appropriate and proportionate protective security and organisational preparedness measures.”*
The Protect Duty (Martyn’s Law) is expected to be written into UK Law by the middle of 2022.
However, there are multiple things to consider, especially for local authorities. The Local Government Association has questioned “How a new duty would sit alongside existing duties and delivery of work in the counter-terrorism space. This includes work undertaken by Community Safety Partnerships, Local Resilience Forums (in particular how a new duty will be aligned to the requirements in the Civil Contingencies Act 2004), CONTEST boards, Safety Advisory Groups (SAGs), licensing teams, and under the Health and Safety at Work Act. Many of these have overlapping partner representation and/or interest in these issues.”
Venue owners/operators are having to look at specific CT staff training, increased numbers of emergency first aid/ bleed control kits, perhaps even augmented physical security measures – all of which come at a cost.
How will urban high street design be affected by the new law? After fifteen months of lockdown, people want to be outside, socializing, free to enjoy a meal or drink outside a café or pub – but equally, they want to feel safe from vehicular attacks. Will there be provisions for this in the Protect Duty?
These are some of the key questions that will be addressed on 18th November at the CTB365 ‘Protect Duty’ online interactive event.
So, why should YOU attend?
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To get the inside track from industry experts.
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Have your questions answered and to learn the current thinking.
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To gain a better understanding of how the Protect Duty will affect your area of business, and what your responsibilities will be.
Also, because of our partnership with the Security Institute, all CTB365 events are CPD-Accredited – meaning that you will earn DOUBLE CPD points for attending!
Please register for this influential gathering of experts, online, to further your knowledge and to engage with the leaders in the field.
Join us for what promises to be an informative online event of industry Thought Leaders, with Peer Chat, Live Polls, Interactive Q&A and Download Centre.
* Source: Government sets out plans to protect public places from terrorist attacks