Although Martyn’s Law does not come into effect until 2027, planning is essential …. How prepared are you? asks Stewart Brown, Senior Security Consultant at the consultancy Surelock International.
UK terrorist activity
In the last 55 years in the United Kingdom from basic public research there has been at least 83 known terrorist incidents recorded, there has been about 29 Terrorist Incidents prevented by the Police and Security or Intelligence Services (prevented, failed or aborted attacks) and 24 other Terrorist Incidents (arrests, detentions and other incidents related to the Terrorism Acts). (See also Stewart’s article on terrorist activity.)
These figures, of course, do not involve or identify any matters where the UK Police and Security Services are actively involved with intelligence or activity and do not want the general public to know anything about because of the sensitive nature, ongoing world-wide investigations and actions that might hamper their work or lead to copycat/similar activity.
Since 1971/1972 there has been 799 persons killed and at least 3,708 persons injured due to these attacks, this is on average over 14 persons killed and about 67 persons physically injured each year due to these incidents. The economic, business, financial, and insurance costs or losses to persons, companies, authorities and HM Government over these years must be in the billions of pounds, therefore the Police, Security, Secret and Intelligence Services put Counter Terrorism Actions (or Action Counters Terrorism – ACT) as a main priority to combat this problem.
Priorities
Police Services/Authorities main priorities of policing in the early days of the UK Police were as follows:
- protection of life
- protection of property
- preventing crime and
- prosecution of offenders
Now Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) is at the forefront of policing demands in the UK and on-line advice about Crime Prevention is only now provided sporadically across the country as there are few Police Crime Prevention Officers (CPO) left due to HM Government financial restraints on Policing. Apparently, there are only 190 Counter Terrorism Security Advisors (CTSA) across the 43 Police Services in the UK and their main role is to advise on National Security, protective security advice to crowded places, ‘Designing out Crime’, protection of numerous National Infrastructure Businesses and protecting communities.
There is a vast amount of written details of advice on Counter Terrorism, Crime Prevention & Crime Reduction on the various Policing and HM Government websites:
- College of Policing www.college.police.uk
- Counter Terrorism Policing www.counterterrorism.police.uk
- Metropolitan Police Service www.met.police.uk
- National Police Chiefs’ Council www.npcc.police.uk
- NaCTSO – ProtectUK www.protectuk.police.uk
- National Protective Security Authority www.npsa.gov.uk
- Security Service MI5 www.mi5.gov.uk
- National Cyber Security Centre www.ncsc.gov.uk
- Police Forces in England & Wales various local sites
- Police UK www.police.uk
ProtectUK
ProtectUK website is seen as the major resource for Counter Terrorism advice, but some of the sections date back to 2020 therefore are five years old and may need to be updated prior to Martyn’s Law coming into effect in 2027.
Number of premises
It was estimated in 2024 that about 178,900 venues/premises will be impacted by this new Martyn’s Law, but practically it is likely that over 250,000 premises in the UK will be subject to these requirements. A great deal will be premises licensed for the sale of alcohol and provision of entertainment under the Licensing Act 2003. But its impact will be wider than bars and nightclubs, theatres and cinemas, restaurants and sports arena. It will cover educational facilities, museums, leisure facilities, parks, council and civic buildings, many of which will be owned or operated by local authorities.
‘Publicly Accessible Locations’
Publicly Accessible Locations (PALs) are quoted as places open to the public, either by right, permission or payment. They can be permanent buildings like entertainment and sports venues or temporary event locations, as well as open spaces like parks, squares, or beaches. The term also encompasses public spaces with no defined boundaries, such as city centre squares, bridges, or busy thoroughfares, where large scale events, activities or celebrations occur.
The concept of PALs is relevant to the various security measures, particularly in this context which aims to enhance the security of public premises and events. Which requires organisations/owners to assess and mitigate risks in publicly accessible locations.
Where to get assistance
There is only a number of independent Security Consultants/Surveyors/Assessors in the UK that have the security or police experience, knowledge, understanding of legal aspects & ability to identify risks/threats at relevant premises/organisations and events in a semblance that could enable these requirements and advice to improve ‘Protection of Premises’ in line with this legislation and comply with the Security Industry Authority (SIA) regulations and all other legal requirements.
Personal attendance at premises, then obtaining all relevant information, documentation and full understanding of how the premises operate, then assessing all procedures, systems and security features in line with best practice guidelines to “Review existing protective measures” then advise any enhancements/improvements to satisfy these legal requirements in reducing the risks or likelihood of terrorist acts/attack taking place. Then procedures and actions in the event of attack or incident that keeps others safe or reduces further actions will need to be documented in line with effective guidelines.
Statutory guidance
It has been stated that ‘The Statutory Guidance’ similar to the Licensing Act 2003 regulations will be issued by the SIA to assist owners/operators to full fill compliance with Martyn’s Law, which is expected to be a very lengthy and complicated document but nothing of a security nature involving ‘Terrorism Activity’, ‘Protection of Premises’, ‘CCTV’ ‘Security Procedures’, ‘Protective Measures’, ‘Criminal Sanctions’, ‘Safe Occupancy”Responsible Person’, ‘Public Protection Procedures’, ‘Public Protection Measures’, ‘Documenting Compliance’ and many other security/safety aspects has ever been issued by UK Government, Legal Authorities/Organisations and may be very difficult to produce.
Major high profile events like:
Glastonbury Festival – www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk
London Marathon – www.londonmarathonevents.co.uk
Lord Mayors Show – www.lordmayorsshow.london
– and numerous other UK events will have to have very separate assessments and actions to be effectively considered to comply with this legislation and Surelock Security Consultants will address some of those points in a future blog.
Visit – https://surelock.org/services/martyn’s-law.
