Latest news with #MartynHett
Scotsman
26-05-2025
- Scotsman
Prepare to make your premises safer from terror attacks
If you don't improve venue security you may soon be prosecuted Sign up to our Scotsman Money newsletter, covering all you need to know to help manage your money. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Last month, the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 (also known as Martyn's Law) received royal assent, starting the clock on the two-year implementation period before the main provisions come into force. The legislation was prompted by the 2017 Manchester Arena attack and is named after Martyn Hett, one of the victims, following a campaign by his mother, Figen Murray. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad For the first time, it requires those responsible for certain premises and events at which large gatherings occur – such as sports and entertainment venues, hotels, student accommodation, and shopping centres – to consider terrorist threats and take forward proportionate mitigations. Get ready for Martyn's Law, advises Lynne Gray The UK's National Risk Register highlights terrorist attacks as one of the top risks facing the country. However, despite several inquiries and inquests reflecting the risk in findings, there was found to be a lack of consistent security outcomes across UK public locations. The legislation aims to address this, requiring those responsible for qualifying premises and events to take appropriate action (so far as reasonably practicable) to reduce the risk of harm to staff and the public, or risk enforcement which includes criminal offences for serious non-compliance. The regulations take a tiered approach around different uses of premises and the number of individuals reasonably expected to be present. Organisations need to understand if their premises or event qualifies and then consider which tier they fall within to inform duties and any required response. The legislation details publicly accessible premises within its scope, including sports grounds, entertainment venues, shopping centres and healthcare facilities. Where the public has access to premises or part of the premises, with an expected capacity of 200-799 persons, this falls within the standard tier. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad An expected capacity of 800 or more takes the premises into the enhanced tier, with different duties applying. The standard duty requires appropriate public protection measures, so far as reasonably practicable. That means procedures which should be followed by people working at the premises if an act of terrorism were to occur there or nearby and which may reduce the risk of physical harm to individuals. That could be locking down premises, evacuating or moving people to safe places. Many organisations in the standard tier will already have policies and mitigations in place under other regulatory requirements, such as health and safety and fire safety. These are meant to be low-cost mitigations and there is no requirement to have physical measures in place, in contrast to enhanced duty premises. The enhanced duty requires a more proactive approach, considering counter-terrorism measures to reduce, so far as reasonably practicable, both the vulnerability of premises or an event to an act of terrorism occurring, as well as the risk of physical harm to individuals if an attack was to occur there or nearby. That could include CCTV monitoring or installing barriers, safety glass, and bag or vehicle checks. Any procedures must be documented and submitted to the regulator, the Security Industry Authority (SIA). The SIA needs new regulatory capability to enforce the legislation, which is expected to take 24 months to establish, hence the lead-in time before the new provisions kick in. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad For many businesses operating qualifying premises and events across Scotland, this may be the first time they have been required to address the risk from terrorism and represents significant additional responsibilities that need to be considered as part of their activities. They should be using the next two years to understand and prepare for the legislation coming into force fully.
Spectator
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Spectator
The law that is choking civil society
If one were to ask for a quintessential display of the British character it would be hard to better the Shrewsbury Flower Show. Officially the world's 'longest-running flower show', according to the Guinness World Records, it is held over two days in August, attracting 60,000 visitors. This summer should be the show's 150th birthday. Last week, however, the Shropshire Horticultural Society abruptly cancelled it. Rising costs were cited as a factor. But the main reason was the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act – known as Martyn's Law. The legislation, which was given royal assent this month, requires organisers of events with more than 200 people to engage in lengthy bureaucratic and state-monitored protocols to protect visitors from terror attacks. Unlikely though it may be that jihadists will prioritise raising the Isis flag above an array of prize lobelias, if fighting terror requires Shrewsbury to wilt, so be it. In October, The Spectator warned that the legislation would impose 'onerous and costly regulatory requirements on civil society'. Village halls and football clubs are being co-opted into the battle against terrorism, forced to complete training and time-consuming paperwork. The government's impact assessment suggested Martyn's Law would, at best, have a net cost of £1.8 billion. In a worst-case scenario, that would stretch to £4.9 billion: 583 times the £8.4 million in benefits expected. Shrewsbury Flower Show's burden is one shared by a cornucopia of public locations – 100,000 retail and hospitality venues, 33,000 places of worship, 400 zoos and theme parks, and so on – that are expected to be hit. Martyn's Law is named after Martyn Hett, one of the 22 victims of the Manchester Arena bombing.
Daily Mail
21-04-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Premier League and EFL clubs warned about security companies looking to exploit their plans to step up compliance - as teams look to safeguard against terror-attack threat
Football clubs have been warned over security companies attempting to cash in ahead of an incoming law aimed at reducing the threat of terror attacks. Our Inside Sport column reported on Sunday how the matchday experience for fans across the country could soon change following the introduction of Martyn's Law. Named after Martyn Hett, a victim of the 2017 Manchester Arena attack which claimed the lives of 22 concert goers, legislation has now been given Royal Assent and is expected to come into force within the next two years. Aimed at preventing further attacks, it will see any venue which admits more than 800 people deemed 'enhanced duty' and likely to be subject to more stringent security measures such as increased ticket and bag checks. Concerns have been raised over the prospect of an additional cost for such ramped-up security measures, especially at clubs who are struggling financially. The likelihood of longer waits to enter grounds has also been discussed. And it can now be revealed that the EFL has now written to its clubs to warn of the 'rising prevalence of security companies and consultants offering their services to support businesses with the requirements'. Hett was a victim of the 2017 Manchester Arena attack which claimed the lives of 22 concert goers In an email seen by Mail Sport, league bosses add that clubs 'should be wary of committing to further expenditure', seemingly raising the alarm against firms seeking to cash in. Over the coming two years, both the EFL and Premier League will liaise with their clubs as they prepare for compliance. Any issues faced by sides will be raised in high-level discussions with the Home Office. For their part, the Home Office will publish statutory guidance to assist those involved to understand how they can meet the requirements of the legislation. The Security Industry Authority will be the regulator for Martyn's Law, and they will publish operational guidance explaining how they will discharge their duties. Previously, the Home Office has said that the intention of Martyn's Law, also known as the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, is to 'improve protective security and organisational preparedness across the UK by requiring that those responsible for certain premises and events consider how they would respond to a terrorist attack'.
BBC News
03-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Martyn's Law: Anti-terror legislation comes into force with Royal Assent
Legislation requiring public venues to improve security to counter the threat of terror attacks has come into force after it was given Royal Assent following a campaign by a "courageous" Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill, also known as Martyn's Law, was named after Martyn Hett who was one of the 22 people killed in the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing mother, Figen Murray, who campaigned for six years for the new security measures, said she was "determined to ensure nobody endures what my family has experienced".Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said Martyn's Law would ensure "everyone can enjoy public events more safely". He said the legislation would "ensure venues across the country have clear, practical measures in place to protect people". He paid tribute to Ms Murray's "courage and determination in the face of such unimaginable loss" and said her campaigning would ensure "her son's legacy will live on forever". Who was Martyn Hett and what is Martyn's Law?Starmer met Ms Murray in Downing Street to mark the bill's entry on to the statute book. The law sets out requirements in a tiered manner based on the size of a public venue, with "necessary but proportionate" security measures. Venues with a capacity of more than 800 people must take steps to protect against the threat of terrorism, like bag-search policies and CCTV. Smaller public premises where capacity is 200 or fewer are required to have plans in place in the event of an attack. 'Vital' Ms Murry said it was "vital" that the government and the Security Industry Authority (SIA), helped public venues meet the requirements of Martyn's SIA, will take on the function of regulator for the law, and will be there to offer support to businesses but also inspect and enforce the new rules. A 24-month implementation period will be observed to allow the industry to prepare, with the government set to issue guidance Kill, CEO of the Night Time Industries Association said businesses had "long supported measures that enhance security while remaining practical for businesses to implement".A spokesman for the AO Manchester Arena said it was a "long-time supporter" of Martyn's Law and had "provided support" throughout the development of the legislation."Operating one of the largest and busiest arenas in the UK and Europe, we are supportive of this legislation to honour the memory of those affected and to set crucial industry standards to enhance public safety at venues nationwide," he said."As a venue, we are already compliant with the draft Protect Duty Bill and continue to monitor any change and adapt to any future developments." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
The Independent
03-04-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Martyn's Law given royal assent to officially become statute
Legislation providing greater protection to help prevent and reduce the harm of terror attacks at event venues has officially become law. The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, known as Martyn's Law, will compel all UK venues expecting 200 or more people to be on site to prepare for the event of a terror attack after it received royal assent on Thursday, the Home Office said. Larger premises expected to host 800 people or more would also have to take steps to reduce their vulnerability to an assault, such as CCTV, bag searches or vehicle checks. Figen Murray, who campaigned for the law change in memory of her 29-year-old son Martyn Hett, met with Sir Keir Starmer at Downing Street to mark the occasion as the Prime Minister expressed a 'debt of gratitude' for her work, the Home Office said. Mr Hett and 21 other people were killed in the Manchester Arena bombing at the end of an Ariana Grande concert in May 2017. Ms Murray completed a 200-mile walk from Manchester Arena to Downing Street and delivered a letter to then-prime minister Rishi Sunak in May last year as part of her campaign. The Bill was eventually laid before Parliament in September. The Prime Minister said: 'Today is a landmark moment for our security as my Government delivers on its promise to introduce Martyn's Law and better protect the public from terrorism. 'Figen's courage and determination in the face of such unimaginable loss is truly humbling, and it is thanks to her campaigning that Martyn's Law means her son's legacy will live on forever. 'Security is the foundation of our plan for change and the first duty of any Government. Martyn's Law will ensure everyone can enjoy public events more safely and ensure venues across the country have clear, practical measures in place to protect people.' Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: 'Martyn's Law will significantly strengthen public safety across our country, I'd like to thank Figen Murray for her tireless work to make this law a reality. 'This Government is securing Britain's future through the plan for change and, as the eighth anniversary of the attack approaches, this new law delivers upon the lessons from the Manchester Arena Inquiry to keep people safe.' The Security Industry Authority (SIA) will take on the role as regulator for the legislation, the Home Office said. The Act will not come into force for at least two years to allow the SIA's new function to be established and give those responsible sufficient time to understand their new obligations and plan ahead.
