The Night Time Industries Association has urged “all stakeholders to engage in a thorough review” of The Terrorism (Protection Of Premises) Bill - usually referred to as ‘Martyn's law’ - which was formally introduced into the UK Parliament yesterday.
The government says that the new laws contained in the bill will ensure that the British public are “better protected from terrorism” by “requiring many public venues to improve preparedness against attacks and bring in measures to help keep people safe”.
The legislation was prompted by the 2017 terrorist attack on the Manchester Arena, with Figen Murray - the mother of Martyn Hett, who died in that incident - having been a lead campaigner pushing for the legal reforms.
The live sector is supportive of the objectives of the bill, but continues to raise concerns about some of the measures being proposed and the impact they will have, especially on smaller venues. The law will introduce new obligations onto any venue with a capacity of 200 or more, with additional measures for venues with a capacity over 800.
Commenting on the introduction of the bill in Parliament yesterday, Michael Kill, CEO of the NTIA, says, “Martyn’s Law aims to bolster safety measures at publicly accessible venues, a goal we wholeheartedly support. However, as we advance, it is crucial to address the proportionality of the proposed measures, within all settings”.
“I want to commend Figen for her relentless advocacy in honour of her son and to emphasise both the achievements and challenges that lie ahead”, he adds.
Challenges include “operational impact, skillset required of venue operators, and the financial implications of enforcing these new safety protocols”, with Kill insisting “we must ensure that the balance between heightened security and practical implementation is carefully considered”.
He concludes, “While the objectives of Martyn’s Law are commendable, it is essential that the legislation is designed with feasibility and fairness in mind. We urge all stakeholders to engage in a thorough review of the bill as it progresses through the parliamentary process. Our goal is to ensure that the safety enhancements are both effective and manageable for all involved”.
Providing a little more detail about what the bill sets out to do, the government explains that, “under the changes, a new duty will be placed on those responsible for premises and public events, requiring them to take appropriate action to strengthen public safety, with requirements reflecting the size of the venue and the activity taking place”.
The bill has been in development for years and the Labour Party said they would make passing the new law a priority once in government. In a statement yesterday, Murray said that Prime Minister Keir Starmer “gave me his word that he would act quickly to introduce Martyn’s Law ... and he has”.
She added, “Today means we are one step closer to making public spaces safer for everyone. It is also hugely important for my family that Martyn’s Law will be on the statute book ahead of the next anniversary of Martyn’s death”.
As well as commending the tireless work of Murray and her campaign team in navigating past negotiations, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said, “This legislation will strengthen public safety, help protect staff and the public from terrorism and ensure we learn the lessons from the terrible Manchester Arena attack and the inquiry that followed. It is important we now take this forward through Parliament in Martyn’s memory and to help keep people safe”.