The Future of Public Safety - What Businesses Need to Know About Martyn's Law
The Protect Duty, also known as "Martyn's Law," is a proposed piece of legislation in the UK that was spurred by the tragic loss of Martyn Hett, one of the 22 victims of the Manchester Arena terrorist attack in 2017.
This duty, currently in pre-scrutiny, aims to legally compel public venues, hospitals, schools, and other organizations to put in place effective and proportionate security measures to protect the public from terrorist attacks.
Although the introduction of this legislation could still be over a year away, it’s important for business leaders to prepare themselves. The consultation for the Bill received a high volume of responses and support is strong. It's safe to say the introduction of this legislation is just a matter of time.
Impact on businesses
The proposed legislation places an obligation on business owners and event operators to consider the threat from terrorism and to implement appropriate safeguarding measures. Businesses will need to assess their vulnerability to potential threats and, based on this assessment, implement security measures deemed 'reasonably practicable'.
Businesses will also have a responsibility to ensure that staff are suitably trained on how to respond in the event of some kind of threat. This could range from understanding the emergency evacuation plan to recognizing and reporting suspicious activity.
Preparing for the Protect Duty
Preparedness is the key focus of the duty. This will necessitate changes in HR policies and procedures. Everything from your recruitment process through to your health and safety policies will need to be revisited.
And maintaining compliance with Martyn's Law will require ongoing vigilance. Businesses should introduce measures to help ensure ongoing security:
Regular Reviews: HR should regularly review policies and procedures to ensure they remain up-to-date and in line with legal requirements.
Ongoing Training: Training should not be a one-off event. Regular refresher sessions should be considered to ensure staff maintain a high level of preparedness.
Background Checks: Building background screening into your recruitment process can help reduce risk and increase compliance.
Feedback Mechanism: Providing staff with a method of feedback can help identify areas for improvement.
External Audits: Enlisting the help of professional security auditors can help you identify areas for improvement and provide training opportunities.
When will the Protect Duty be here?
The Government plans to introduce the draft Bill of Martyn's Law to the House following the completion of the pre-scrutiny process. However, no specific date or time frame is given. After the Bill is introduced, it will have to pass through several stages of debate and amendment in both Houses of Parliament before it can become law.
This process can take anywhere from several weeks to years. This means businesses have plenty of time to prepare for the new rules.
Commenting on the draft Bill being introduced, Figen Murray, mother of Martyn Hett said:
“Martyn’s Law isn’t going to stop terrorism, but common-sense security, and making sure venues are doing all they can to keep people safe, could mean fewer suffer what myself and the families of Manchester have had to endure.
I welcome the government’s commitment to including smaller venues and working quickly on this legislation. It is vital we now take the necessary steps to protect ourselves and others wherever possible and I hope other countries learn from this groundbreaking legislation.”
In a statement, Home Secretary, Suella Braverman thanked Figen for her campaigning:
“Protecting the public from danger is a key responsibility of any government. The terrorist threat we face is diverse and continually evolving, which is why this legislation is so important.
I would like to thank Figen Murray and the Martyn’s Law campaign for their support in the development of this vital reform.”
Their tireless efforts have helped inform our approach and the heartbreaking stories from survivors and their families are a constant reminder as to why we must deliver on this commitment to work together to improve public security.”
There have been 15 terror attacks in the UK since 2017. The need for this revolutionary piece of legislation is clear. You can find out more about Martyn’s law and the timescales involved on the Government factsheet here.