Overview of Proposed Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill and Martyn’s Law Consultation

The proposed Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill has been met with both support and criticism as it aims to address the risk of terrorist acts in public venues. The draft bill, which was published on 2 May 2023, has sparked discussions about its potential impact on smaller and voluntarily run venues, such as village halls.

The bill is divided into two tiers – the Standard Tier for premises with a public capacity of between 100 and 799, and the Enhanced Tier for premises with a capacity of 800 or more. The consultation on the Standard Tier has concluded, with a focus on procedural measures to reduce the risk of physical harm in the event of an attack.

While the original proposal for annual terrorism training for front of house workers has been scrapped, the emphasis is now on having procedures in place for evacuation, invacuation, lockdown, and communication during an attack. Sector-specific guidance is being developed in consultation with stakeholders to ensure compliance with the new regulations.

Penalties for non-compliance with the bill are significant, with fines ranging from £10,000 to £18 million depending on the tier of the premises. A Regulator will be responsible for education, inspection, and enforcement, with a focus on collaboration with venue owners.

The bill also includes provisions for protecting layout plans of premises deemed to pose a heightened security risk from being made public, in order to prevent hostile reconnaissance by potential attackers.

Despite the progress made with the bill, there is still much to be done before it becomes law. The government must consider and respond to the consultation, redraft the bill, and navigate through the parliamentary process before it can receive Royal Assent. The Home Office has indicated that there will be an 18-month to two-year implementation period once the bill becomes law.

As the legislative process unfolds, the memory of the victims of the Manchester Arena terrorist bombing serves as a reminder of the importance of addressing the threat of terrorism in public venues.