Martyn’s law to require terror safety plans at venues with 200-plus capacity

Pubs and clubs that can hold 200 people could be fined £10,000 if the owners fail to comply with a new law that is meant to protect against terror attacks.

Martyn’s law, otherwise known as the terrorism (protection of premises) bill, will require all venues with a capacity of more than 199 people to take steps to ensure they have a plan in place in case of an attack on their premises.

Named after Martyn Hett, one of 22 people murdered in the Manchester Arena suicide bombing in May 2017, the law was laid before parliament on Thursday.

Implementation of the law, for which Hett’s mother, Figen Murray, has campaigned for several years, will be seen as a triumph for Keir Starmer. Murray had accused Rishi Sunak of breaking a promise to implement the law during the last parliament.

Starmer committed to getting it done as a priority and the bill was included in the Labour government’s king’s speech. It will require UK venues and councils to have training and plans to prevent and protect against attacks.

Murray said: “I want to thank everyone who has played a part in getting the bill to this stage, and especially the prime minister, who gave me his word that he would act quickly to introduce Martyn’s law. He said he would act quickly and he has.

“Today means we are one step closer to making public spaces safer for everyone. It is also hugely important for my family that Martyn’s law will be on the statute book ahead of the next anniversary of Martyn’s death.”

After a public consultation, venues that can hold 200 people will be viewed as standard tier and will be required to notify a regulator and have in place public protection procedures to reduce the risk of physical harm in the event of an attack. These will include locking doors, closing shutters and identifying safe routes.

The enhanced tier will apply to premises and events with a capacity of more than 800. These locations will need to put in place measures such as CCTV or hiring security staff and could be fined up to £18m if they fail to comply.

Yvette Cooper, the home secretary, said: “This legislation will strengthen public safety, help protect staff and the public from terrorism and ensure we learn the lessons from the terrible Manchester Arena attack and the inquiry that followed. It is important we now take this forward through parliament in Martyn’s memory and to help keep people safe.”

Brendan Cox, a co-founder of Survivors Against Terror, said: “Survivors of terror attacks aren’t looking for sympathy, they are looking for change that makes it less likely that others will endure what they have. Today is a major breakthrough following years of campaigning led by Martyn’s fearless mum, Figen, and backed by hundreds of other survivors of terror attacks.”

The Home Office estimates the new law will apply to 155,000 businesses with a venue capacity of between 200 and 799 people and cost the venues an average of £330 a year.

About 24,000 larger venues, with a capacity of 800 and above, could be subject to the law and face average costs of about £5,000 a year as a result.

Sanctions for failing to follow the rules could initially include being issued with warnings such as compliance notices, under which the venues would be ordered to change or improve procedures.