On 22 May 2017, a suicide bomb was detonated in the foyer of the Manchester Arena, killing 22 people and injuring 1,017, eventually resulting in Martyn’s Law. It was the deadliest act of terrorism and the first suicide bombing in the United Kingdom since the 7 July 2005 London bombings.
In the wake of this tragedy, Figen Murray OBE, mother of Martyn Hett who lost his life in the attack, became a tireless campaigner for improved security measures in public spaces. Her unwavering dedication and advocacy have been instrumental in the development of Martyn’s Law, a crucial piece of legislation named in memory of her son.
The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill, also known as Martyn’s Law, was introduced to Parliament on 12 September 2024 and is currently undergoing Parliamentary scrutiny. This law places a legal duty on those responsible for publicly accessible locations to consider the risk of a terrorist attack and take proportionate measures to protect the public.
For larger facility managers across the UK, Martyn’s Law represents a significant shift in responsibility and operational practice. This TCFM expert blog post provides an overview of the law’s requirements and outlines how TCFM’s integrated security and FM services can help your business achieve compliance and enhance overall safety.
What Does Martyn’s Law Require?
Martyn’s Law introduces a tiered model based on the capacity of a location, with requirements varying accordingly. The five key requirements are:
- Risk assessment: a thorough risk assessment of the venue, considering potential threats and vulnerabilities.
- Mitigation measures: implementing appropriate security measures to mitigate identified risks. This could include physical security measures, colleague training, and incident response plans.
- Security plan: developing and implementing a comprehensive security plan that outlines procedures for dealing with various security scenarios.
- Colleague training: providing adequate training to all colleagues on security awareness, threat detection, and incident response.
- Record keeping: maintaining comprehensive records of risk assessments, security plans, and training activities.
Impact on UK Businesses and Facility Managers
Martyn’s Law applies to a range of events and venues, from stadiums and concert halls to shopping centres, hotels, and even smaller businesses such as restaurant and retail locations. This means facility managers across various sectors will need to adapt their operations to comply with the new legislation, according to the tier the location is in.
Martyn’s Law Standard Tier
Most facilities will fall under the standard tier. This means they will need to take simple, practical steps to protect the public during an attack. Think along the lines of locking doors, closing shutters, and knowing safe escape routes.
These measures are designed to be low-cost and straightforward, with no need for expensive equipment or building modifications. The focus is on training everyone to be informed, prepared and to be able to respond effectively in an emergency.
Martyn’s Law Enhanced Tier
Larger facilities and certain events will be classified as enhanced tier. They will have a responsibility to go further with security measures to make it harder for terrorists to target them.
There is a variety of actions that we recommend, including installation of CCTV surveillance of the venue and surrounding area. These facilities will also need to keep records to show they’re meeting the requirements of Martyn’s Law and provide these to the regulator.
Martyn’s Law and Facility Managers
The law presents several challenges for facility managers, including:
- Understanding the legislation: interpreting the requirements and determining the appropriate level of security measures for their specific venue.
- Resource allocation: balancing the costs of implementing new security measures with existing budgets.
- Colleague training: ensuring that all colleagues are adequately trained and prepared to respond to security threats.
- Integration with existing operations: integrating the new security protocols into daily operations without adding overheads.
How TCFM can help: TCFM is a leading provider of integrated facility management services, specialising in security and cleaning. We have extensive operational credentials in helping businesses with a national or regional footprint achieve and maintain high levels of security.
Our proven expertise and experience will navigate the complexities of Martyn’s Law for you and ensure that your facility will be compliant and secure.
Here’s how TCFM Security can support your business:
- Risk assessment: our expert security consultants will conduct a comprehensive risk assessment of your facility and develop an in depth bespoke security analysis tailored to your specific needs and risk profile.
- Trained security presence: we can deploy a highly trained security presence to your site, providing a visible deterrent and ensuring a swift response to any security incidents.
- Emergency response protocols: we will create a site incident response plan for each site, ensuring that your colleagues are prepared to handle a range of emergency and security situations, from evacuations to first aid.
- Access control systems: we can design and install advanced access control systems to restrict access to sensitive areas and monitor movement within your facility.
- Regular security audits: we conduct regular security audits to ensure your security measures remain effective and compliant with Martyn’s Law.
How TCFM can help: ensure Martyn’s Law compliance with TCFM. Our expert security services include risk assessments, trained personnel, and comprehensive staff training for a safer environment.
At TCFM, we fully support Martyn’s Law which we believe represents a vital step towards creating safer public spaces in the UK. TCFM has a history of commitment to helping businesses meet these new requirements and to enhance their overall security posture.
TCFM collaborated with Figen Murray OBE and Lexington Reception Services for an awareness raising event in July 2024 inviting facility management professionals to understand the vital role that FM plays in security and customer safety.
Our specialist security services provide comprehensive solutions, ensuring your facility is compliant, safe, and ready.
Contact us today for a no obligation security consultation and let our experts guide you through the process.