Counter Terror Business 48

Safeguarding public spaces

On 18 November, CTB 365, the online events arm of Counter Terror Business magazine, will be hosting another webinar looking at Martyn’s Law and the development of the Protect Duty.

The Protect Duty, campaigned tirelessly for by Figen Murray, mother of Martin Hett who was killed in the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing, is expected to be written into UK Law by the middle of 2022. While still to be finalised, the legislation would require those in scope to consider terrorist threats and consider and implement appropriate and proportionate protective security and organisational preparedness measures.

This means that venue owners and operators are having to look at specific counter terrorism staff training, increased numbers of emergency first aid/ bleed control kits, perhaps even augmented physical security measures – all of which come at a cost.

However, questions remain over how a new duty would sit alongside existing duties and delivery of work in the counter-terrorism space. To help answer some of these questions, out expert line-up of speakers will examine the Manchester Arena Inquiry, security expectations for event venues, protecting our communities against terrorism and effectively striking the balance between safety and visitor experience.

Register here.

Michael Lyons, editor