The UK government has introduced new legislation aimed at increasing protection against terrorism in public venues. The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill, also known as “Martyn’s Law,” honours Martyn Hett, one of the 22 victims of the 2017 Manchester Arena attack, and seeks to improve preparedness at locations where large numbers of people gather.
The legislation will impose a legal duty on those responsible for public venues to take appropriate measures to enhance public safety, with the requirements scaled according to the size of the venue and the type of event taking place. Venues will be required to assess the risks of terrorism and implement necessary precautions to protect visitors.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said, “Martyn’s Law has been a long time coming. I want to pay tribute to Figen Murray, who has worked tirelessly to ensure this law becomes a reality. This legislation will strengthen public safety and ensure we learn from the tragic Manchester Arena attack. It’s vital that we move forward with this in Martyn’s memory and to keep people safe.”
The new bill is the fulfilment of a promise made by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to Martyn’s mother, Figen Murray. He committed to taking swift action to introduce this law, which reflects a key government pledge to improve the security of public events.
Figen Murray, who has campaigned relentlessly for the legislation, expressed her gratitude, saying, “I want to thank everyone who has been involved in getting the bill to this stage, especially the Prime Minister, who promised to act quickly. Today, we are one step closer to making public spaces safer for everyone, and it’s important for my family that Martyn’s Law will be in place ahead of the next anniversary of Martyn’s death.”
The bill outlines a tiered system of safety measures. Smaller venues with a capacity of between 200 and 800 people will be required to implement basic but effective safety steps, such as training staff to lock doors and identify safe routes for evacuation. Larger venues, with a capacity of over 800, will be expected to install more advanced safety measures like CCTV and hire security personnel.
Security Minister Dan Jarvis praised the collaborative effort that led to the bill, saying, “We are determined to strengthen security at public events and venues, and passing Martyn’s Law is a crucial step forward. This legislation is the result of extensive consultation, and I look forward to working with Parliament to make it a reality.”
Matt Jukes, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing, also welcomed the bill, stating, “Martyn’s Law will provide the public with increased protection from terrorism while attending events. Figen Murray’s tireless campaigning has brought us closer to ensuring the public is safer through this legislation.”
Once the bill becomes law, businesses will be given time and support to understand their new obligations. The government plans to establish a new regulatory body and provide detailed guidance to ensure venues comply with the measures.
The bill is expected to pass through Parliament in the coming months and could be in place ahead of the next anniversary of the Manchester Arena attack.
