FSM
Stadium Security
How Will Martyn’s Law Change UK Venues? As UK venues prepare for the introduction of the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill, or
Martyn's Law, the stadium management sector is evaluating how the new regulations will affect operations. Named after Martyn Hett, a victim of the 2017 Manchester Arena attack, the law aims to strengthen counter-terrorism measures in public spaces. Kevin Rowe, Managing Director at SafetyBuyer, examines the upcoming changes and their impact on stadium management.
Understanding Martyn's Law
The goal of Martyn's Law is straightforward: mandate that public venues have robust security practices to prevent, prepare for, and respond to potential terrorist threats. Unlike existing legislation, Martyn's Law specifically targets terrorism-related risks and applies to a broad range of venues, from shopping centres and concert halls to sporting arenas and other spaces where large groups gather. Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper1 has 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.”
Under this law, those responsible for premises must take essential yet proportionate steps, scaled to their venue's capacity, to ensure public safety. This involves a tiered approach based on the venue's size, expected crowd, and type of activity, ensuring that small businesses aren’t unduly burdened.
What UK Venues Can Expect , Mandatory Risk Assessments
Martyn's Law introduces a requirement for venues to conduct detailed risk assessments focused on terrorist threats, building on existing safety protocols. Facilities managers will need to evaluate factors such as crowd size, entry points, and the likelihood of an attack. This will involve implementing more thorough and frequent assessments, along with staff training to recognise and respond to potential threats. Partnerships with counter-terrorism experts may also be necessary to stay informed about emerging risks and effective mitigation strategies.
Enhanced Staff Training And Emergency Drills
All staff members, from security personnel to event staff and cleaners, will need to be trained to respond to security incidents. This training will go beyond traditional emergency response drills, focusing specifically on identifying suspicious behaviour, managing crowd control during emergencies, and liaising with emergency services.
10 FSM
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36
