Member Article

Martyn's Law announcement a "welcome step" says UK security expert

A security expert has welcomed a significant step forward on impending anti-terrorism legislation and says businesses in the UK “must start conversations to improve their practices now”.

The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill was one of 21 Bills mentioned in the King’s Speech on Tuesday, November 7, signalling the Government’s intention to pass it into law in the coming year.

The Bill will place a statutory duty on qualifying premises and events to take proportionate and reasonable measures to improve public safety and protect against the threat of terrorism.

It is known as Martyn’s Law, named after Martyn Hett, who was one of 22 people killed by a terrorist attack as they left an Ariana Grande concert at the Manchester Arena in 2017.

According to the Home Office, the legislation could affect some 650,000 businesses in the UK, ranging from hotels and restaurants to stadiums and hospitals, with the scope depending on the size of the premises or event and activities taking place.

The new duty would apply to qualifying public premises which are accessible to the public, hold 100 people or more, and are used for one of the qualifying activities such as retail, food and drink, or entertainment; as well as public events with a capacity of 800 or more.

Under the current draft – which is going through pre-legislative scrutiny – that could mean business owners creating anti-terrorism plans, staff undertaking terrorism protection training, or installing hostile vehicle mitigation such as bollards and barriers.

Marcus Gerrard is Director at Coventry-based Safetyflex Barriers – the UK’s leading supplier of anti-terror bollards and barriers, securing stadiums, shopping centres and city-centre public realm projects with its patented anti-terror bollards and crash-rated street furniture.

The company has secured high-profile sites around the world including stadiums such as Twickenham, Wimbledon and the home of Saracens Rugby Club, and visitor attractions such as the London Eye.

He said: “This Bill has been championed by campaigners, MPs and industry experts for some time and for many has been long overdue, so to see this feature as one of 21 Bills in the King’s Speech is a welcome step forward and the news many have been waiting for.

“Once implemented, it will undoubtedly lead to the biggest shift in security that the industry has ever seen, and have a significant impact on a wide range of qualifying businesses operating in public locations.

“The terrorist threat we face is diverse and continually evolving, but making sure we are prepared as a country – and as business owners – is vital for national security.

“Businesses must start conversations to improve their practices now.

“What happened at the Manchester Arena in 2017 was a tragedy and this new law is owed to victims like Martyn Hett and others.”

Safetyflex Barriers was formed in 2010 and is headquartered in Foleshill, Coventry.

Safetyflex has now become a market leader in anti-terrorist hostile vehicle mitigation across the world, protecting high-profile sites across the world in major cities from London to Sydney.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Matt Joyce .