On Monday 19 December 2022, the Government announced details for the Protect Duty, now to be known as ‘Martyn’s Law’ in tribute of Martyn Hett, who was killed alongside 21 others in the Manchester Arena terrorist attack in 2017.
It will place a requirement on those responsible for certain locations to consider the threat from terrorism and implement appropriate and proportionate mitigation measures.
The legislation will ensure parties are prepared, ready to respond and know what to do in the event of an attack. Better protection will be delivered through enhanced security systems, staff training, and clearer processes.
A driving factor behind the proposal is the fact that counter terrorism security efforts often fall in the pecking order when compared to other, legally required, activities. Plus, during the consultation, 7 in 10 respondents agreed that ‘those responsible for publicly accessible locations should take appropriate and proportionate measures to protect the public from attacks.’
In this article we provide some practical information on what organisations may need to consider when drafting a plan to meet the requirements of the new Protect Duty.
Background
After a terrorist suicide bomb attack in the lobby of an arena in Manchester in 2017, several inquiries highlighted a range of security-related failings. As a result of both official findings and public pressure, heroically led by the mother of one of the 22 victims, Figen Murray OBE, a public consultation and pending draft legislation will put some responsibilities for terrorism security onto organisations who own and operate publicly assessable locations (PALs).
