Martyn’s law mandates terror safety plans for large venues in UK

Martyn's law, officially known as the terrorism (protection of premises) bill, has been introduced in the UK Parliament following years of advocacy by Figen Murray, the mother of a victim from the Manchester Arena bombing. The legislation mandates that venues with a capacity of over 199 people must implement safety plans to mitigate the risks of terror attacks. This initiative is a response to the tragic events of May 2017, where 22 individuals lost their lives in a suicide bombing. The law categorizes venues into two tiers based on their capacity. Standard tier venues, holding between 200 and 799 people, must notify regulators and establish public protection procedures, while enhanced tier venues, with a capacity of 800 or more, are required to implement more stringent measures such as hiring security staff and installing CCTV. Non-compliance can result in significant fines, with penalties reaching up to £18 million for larger venues. The Home Office estimates that approximately 155,000 businesses will be affected by this legislation, with an average annual cost of £330 for standard tier venues and £5,000 for enhanced tier venues. The law aims to enhance public safety and ensure that lessons learned from the Manchester Arena attack are applied to prevent future tragedies. Supporters of the bill, including survivors of terror attacks, view this legislation as a crucial step towards making public spaces safer. The law's introduction is seen as a significant achievement for the Labour government, with Keir Starmer prioritizing its passage through Parliament, fulfilling a commitment made to Figen Murray and the victims' families.