Protect and prepare

The Protect Bill, also known as Martyn’s Law, has a deeply significant background rooted in the tragic events of the Manchester Arena attack in 2017. Martyn Hett, one of the 22 victims, inspired the name of this legislation. His mother, Figen Murray, has been a tireless advocate for improved public safety measures, campaigning for this law to be enacted.  See below video of Figen Murray.

Visit the Protect UK website to listen to the mother of Martyn Hett, Figen Murray explain why she believes the law is so important.

This bill was included in the King’s Speech on the 17th July 2024 as part of the programme of legislation in this Parliamentary session and was introduced to Parliament on the 12th September 2024. ​

The bill will ensure that certain premises and events are better prepared and ready to respond to a terrorist attack.  It has established a tiered approach, linked to the activity that takes place at qualifying premises or events and the number of individuals it is reasonable to expect that may be present at the same time.

It will require those responsible for certain premises and events to take steps to mitigate the impact of a terrorist attack and reduce harm in the event of one occurring.

Those responsible for certain larger premises and events must also take additional steps to reduce vulnerability to terrorist attacks.​

What locations are thought to be included?

• Publicly Accessible Locations: This includes any premises or events that are open to the public, such as entertainment venues, sports stadiums, and shopping centres.
• Permanent and Temporary Venues: Both permanent structures like churches and museums, and temporary events such as music festivals and food markets, fall under the scope of Martyn’s Law.

Activities that are thought to fall within the duty include: 

• shops
• food and drink establishments
• nightclubs
• social clubs
• entertainment activities
• sports grounds
• recreation activities and leisure
• libraries museums or galleries
• exhibition halls conference centres and venue hire
• visitor attractions
• hotels, hostels, boarding houses and guest houses
• holiday parks
• places of worship
• healthcare establishments
• bus and train stations
• aerodromes
• education.

Capacity-Based Requirements

The security measures required vary based on the venue’s capacity:

• the standard tier: premises that may host 200-799 individuals at the same time
• the enhanced tier: premises that may host 800 or more individuals at the same time.

Martyn’s Law aims to ensure that these locations are better prepared to prevent and respond to terrorist attacks, thereby enhancing public safety.

Visit the government's website for further information on Martyn's Law.

Useful information and links to organisations to help make your staff, locations and events safer.

Protect UK

The Protect UK site provides businesses and the public with counter terrorism support and guidance to effectively protect and prepare in line with the proposed Protection of Premises Bill.

As well as providing information on the duty, the below are useful apps and tools which provide advice on major incidents:

• view information on the Protect app, including how to download
• ProtectUK digital toolkit
• #BeSafeBeSound digital toolkit for the UKs live music industry.

ACT in a Box

The National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO) has launched ACT in a BOX: an interactive product that enables businesses to rehearse and explore their response to terrorist incidents.

• Visit the Protext UK website to view information around the product.

Citizen Aid

Though a terrorist incident is rare, it is important to be prepared should one ever occur. 

Citizen Aid is a charity that aims to help people be prepared, not scared. The website provides a free e-learning course and information with information on how to respond to a variety of incidents and events, including how to treat those around you. 

• Visit Citizen Aid to undertake the free elearning.

Security-Minded Communications Guidance (NPSA)

This guidance is for security-minded communications which are designed to disrupt hostiles and make them believe that by choosing your organisation or event as a place to attack, they would almost certainly fail.

• Visit the NPSA website for more information.

Prevent Duty Training

This training informs you about the Prevent duty, the different forms of extremism and terrorism, risks around radicalisation, how to make a Prevent referral that is informed and made with good intention and the various interventions and support that are available.

• Visit the government website for more information about the Prevent duty.

Telford and Wrekin Council resources

• View information around how terrorism is assessed, who sets the threat levels and how to report terrorism.

Other resources

• Visit the BBC for the latest news and updates on counter-terrorism.