The draft Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill (aka “Martyn’s Law”) will impose requirements in relation to certain premises and events to increase their preparedness for, and protection from, a terrorist attack by requiring them to take proportionate steps to deal with any terrorist threat, depending on the size and nature of the activities that take place at the premises. Almost all of the provisions of the Bill, once enacted, will apply to the whole of the UK. The detailed requirements will be set out in Regulations under the legislation: at the current rate of progress, I would expect to see them at some point in 2025.
On 5 February, the Home Office launched a further consultation on smaller premises which would fall within the standard tier under the draft Bill, targeted at organisations, businesses, local and public authorities and individuals that own or operate publicly accessible premises or events that the Bill will potentially affect. The ProtectUK website has a helpful explainer on the current state of play, here.
The proposed requirements would apply to those responsible for qualifying public premises and qualifying public events. They might be individuals, but in most cases would be a business or other organisation. Under the current proposals, one of the conditions for premises to be in scope is that they be wholly or mainly used for a listed purpose, such as the provision of entertainment and leisure facilities to the public. The proposals set out different requirements for:
- standard tier premises, which would have a capacity of 100-799 individuals
- enhanced tier premises and qualifying public events, both of which apply to venues with a capacity of 800 individuals or more.
The Home Office has already announced that most places of worship will be placed in the standard tier, irrespective of their capacity, but even for standard tier premises, their trustees will have to get to grips with – and comply with – the Regulations once they appear.
The consultation closes at 11:59 pm on 18 March 2024. Responses must be made online at this link.
The Archdeacon of London, Fr Luke Miller, has posted a helpful summary of the current proposals (though the proposals are still subject to change) and an explanation of why it is important for those responsible for places of worship to respond, here.