Martyn’s Law, also known as the Protect Duty, is a proposed legislation in the United Kingdom aimed at enhancing public safety by requiring owners and operators of publicly accessible locations to take steps to protect people from terrorist attacks. It is named in honour of Martyn Hett, one of the victims of the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing.

Martyn’s Law was introduced in response to the growing threat of terrorism and to ensure that venues are better prepared to respond to such incidents. It aims to establish a consistent and effective approach to security across a variety of public spaces, helping to prevent future attacks and minimize their impact.

The law applies to a wide range of publicly accessible locations, including but not limited to:

• Concert halls and arenas
• Shopping centres
• Public squares and parks
• Sports stadiums
• Large entertainment venues
• Places of worship
• Educational institutions

Essentially, any place where large numbers of people gather and could potentially be targeted by terrorists.

Risk Assessment: Conducting thorough risk assessments to identify potential vulnerabilities and threats.

Mitigation Measures: Implementing appropriate and proportionate measures to reduce the risks identified, which may include physical security measures, staff training, and emergency response planning.

Training and Awareness: Ensuring that staff are adequately trained to recognize and respond to security threats.

Collaboration: Working with local authorities, emergency services, and other stakeholders to enhance overall security and preparedness.

Information Sharing: Sharing relevant security information and intelligence with appropriate authorities and other operators.

Compliance with Martyn’s Law will be monitored and enforced by designated regulatory bodies, which may include local authorities and other government agencies. These bodies will have the authority to conduct inspections, review risk assessments and mitigation plans, and take enforcement action if necessary, including issuing fines or other penalties for non-compliance.

The exact timeline for the implementation of Martyn’s Law is still being determined, as it is subject to the legislative process. However, the UK government has expressed a strong commitment to moving forward with the legislation, and it is anticipated to be enacted in the near future.

Manchester Arena Bombing: A terrorist attack during an Ariana Grande concert at Manchester Arena results in 22 deaths, including Martyn Hett, and hundreds of injuries.

The Kerslake Report is an independent review of the emergency response to the Manchester Arena bombing.

Figen Murray, the mother of Martyn Hett, starts campaigning for stronger security measures at public venues to prevent similar tragedies.

The inquiry was established to provide a thorough and transparent investigation into the events leading up to, during, and after the attack to identify what went wrong, what could have been done differently, and how future responses to similar incidents can be improved.

Figen Murray formally introduces the idea of Martyn’s Law, advocating for mandatory security measures at venues to protect the public from terrorism. The campaign begins to gain public and political attention.

The UK government conducts a consultation process to gather input on the proposed Martyn’s Law, engaging with stakeholders, including venue operators, security experts, and the public.

The UK government officially commits to introducing Martyn’s Law, incorporating it into its legislative agenda with plans to bring the law before Parliament.

The government works on drafting the law, refining its details based on the consultation process, and preparing it for implementation.

The Government have launched a Martyn's Law consultation to ensure the public can share their views on these proposals for the Standard Tier.

King Charles' speech to both houses of Parliament addressed the adoption of anti-terrorism measures; "Measures will be introduced to improve the safety and security of public venues and help keep the British public safe from terrorism - the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill."

Martyn’s Law is anticipated to be fully implemented, marking a significant milestone in public safety legislation in the UK.

Theatres
Cinemas
Concert halls
Arenas

Cafés
Clubs
Music venues
Pubs and bars
Restaurants

local government locations
town halls

Child care
Schools
Universities and colleges

Conference centres
Museums and galleries
Exhibition halls

Stores
Shopping centres

Stadiums and Arenas
Sports facilities
Large-scale event venues

Ice rinks
Gyms
Public sports/leisure centres

Temples
Churches
Mosques
Synagogues
Buddhist temple
Gurdwara

Hospitals
Health Centers
Large medical facilities

Museums
Art Galleries
Historic Buildings
Monuments

Holiday parks
Hotels
Public transport
Train/bus stations
Ports
Airports

Airports: Major and regional airports
Train and Bus Stations
Ports and Ferry Terminals