Legislation to strengthen anti-terrorism measures in public venues failed to progress through parliament after the general election was called in May. Just hours before calling the election the prime minister, Rishi Sunak, told Figen Murray – whose son Martyn Hett was among 22 people killed in the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing – that he would introduce a Bill before the summer recess. Ron Alalouff reports.
It will now be up to a new government to pick up the Draft Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill, which had been the subject of a government consultation after the Commons home affairs committee suggested changes to some provisions in July 2023. Both Conservative and Labour parties have indicated that they would support the introduction of a Bill in the next Parliament.
The draft Bill – also known as Martyn’s Law – is the government’s response to the recommendations of the Manchester Arena bombing inquiry.
It would impose legal obligations on those who manage a wide range of locations with a capacity of 100 or more people to which the public have access, including: stadiums; sports grounds; music venues; nightclubs; education and childcare facilities; leisure centres; shopping centres; supermarkets; tourist attractions; and places of worship.
There would be two sets of obligations under the Bill: a standard tier for premises with a maximum occupancy of 100 or more with relatively light touch regulation; and a more onerous enhanced tier for premises with a maximum occupancy of 800 or more.
Credit: Unsplash by Patrick Ogilvie
The Bill provides that a person responsible for qualifying public premises or a qualifying public event would be subject to certain terrorism protection requirements. Depending on the nature of the venue or event, these might include terrorism protection training for staff, conducting risk assessments, and considering what ‘reasonably practicable’ measures might be taken to reduce the risk.
The aim of the legislation is to ensure that staff at public venues have the skills and knowledge to protect themselves and others, minimise the impact of a terrorist incident, and take appropriate lifesaving actions.
The Bill would also create a new regulator with powers to inspect and enforce provisions of the legislation. The regulator would be able to issue notices requiring the rectification of contraventions, or restricting the use of a venue in contravention of the provisions. Compliance would be enforced through financial and criminal sanctions.
The committee backed the Government’s overall aim for the draft Bill but expressed serious doubts about its proportionality, especially about its impact on smaller businesses and voluntary and community-run organisations. Further concerns were raised about the unfinished provisions in the Bill, its clarity of purpose, the proposed regulator and some of the duties required.
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