These documents relate to the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill which was introduced to Parliament on 12 September 2024.
The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill, also known as 'Martyn’s Law', was included in the King’s Speech on 17 July 2024 as part of the programme of legislation in this Parliamentary session.
The bill was introduced to Parliament on 12 September 2024.
The bill will ensure that certain premises and events are better prepared and ready to respond to a terrorist attack.
The bill establishes 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 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.
Why are we legislating?
Since the start of 2017, agencies and law enforcement have disrupted 39 late-stage plots and there have been 15 domestic terror attacks. These terrorist attacks have sadly demonstrated that the public may be targeted at a broad range of public venues and spaces.
The Manchester Arena Inquiry and London Bridge Inquest called for the introduction of legislation and guidance to protect the public. The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill will form part of the government’s wider counter-terrorism strategy, CONTEST.
The threat level from terrorism in the UK is currently SUBSTANTIAL, meaning an attack is likely. The 2023 CONTEST strategy summarised the current threat facing the UK as ‘enduring and evolving’, with a domestic threat which ‘is less predictable and harder to detect and investigate’. Terrorist attackers have targeted a wide range of people and places in recent years. It is not always possible to predict where in the UK an attack might happen, or the type of premises or events that could be impacted – either directly (as the target of an attack) or indirectly (by being located near to the target of an attack). To ensure better preparedness and raise the public safety bar, a broad range of premises and events need to be ready to act to reduce harm.
Through engagement with businesses, we are aware that without legal compulsion, counter-terrorism protective security and preparedness often falls behind legally required activities, such as Health and Safety. Our expert security partners assess that individuals are more likely to take action that can reduce harm and save lives, if they have considered what they would do, and how, prior to a terrorist attack occurring.
Given the complexity and unpredictability of the terrorist threat, the government thinks that it is right that we now bolster the UK’s preparedness for and protection from terrorist attacks and have sought the most balanced approaches to address this.
Read more about Martyn's Law here
Congratulations Nick Aldworth, and all those that supported you in Lobbying for this change, this is a great achievement.