How to Prepare Your Small Business for the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill

A shocking fact: 80% of small businesses in the UK lack preparation against potential terrorist incidents. The new Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill will transform this landscape. Your business must soon implement specific security measures and risk assessment protocols that protect your premises and people.

Small business owners often find new legal requirements daunting. That is why we created PDR, a detailed risk assessment tool that simplifies these new obligations and ensures compliance. This piece covers everything about the Terrorism Protection of Premises Bill 2024. You'll learn your legal obligations and practical security measures to implement. Your business's compliance and readiness matter to us.

Understanding Your Legal Obligations

Let's look at your legal obligations under the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill. Understanding these requirements is significant to your business's compliance and safety.

Key requirements for standard tier premises

Your business falls under the standard tier category if your premises can hold between 200-799 people. Here are your main obligations:

• Notify the Security Industry Authority (SIA) when you become responsible for the premises

• Implement public protection procedures

• Make sure staff stays aware and ready

• Follow evacuation, invacuation, lockdown, and communication protocols

Standard tier requirements focus on procedures instead of physical changes. You don't need structural alterations or new equipment.

Timeline for compliance

You'll have enough time to prepare everything. The government gives you a 24-month implementation period after the bill receives Royal Assent. This time allows you to:

• Learn your obligations

• Create necessary procedures

• Train your staff

• Register with the SIA

Using PDR for risk assessment

Our PDR tool makes compliance easier by helping you review potential risks and create appropriate responses. The bill emphasises "reasonably practicable" measures. You need to adapt your approach based on your specific situation. The SIA provides guidance and support rather than immediate enforcement. Non-compliance could lead to penalties up to £10,000 for standard tier premises. Use PDR to meet all requirements while keeping your approach in line with your resources and premises type.

Note that these requirements want to improve your staff's preparedness and response capabilities instead of creating burdensome regulations. Meeting these obligations becomes manageable with our PDR tool and proper planning.

Developing Security Procedures

Security procedures protect your premises and people. Our PDR tool helps you develop protocols that meet the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill requirements.

Creating evacuation and lockdown protocols

Your business requires four types of protection procedures:

• Evacuation - Getting people safely out of the premises

• Invacuation - Moving people to safe areas within the building

• Lockdown - Securing the premises against attackers

• Communication - Alerting and directing people away from danger

Each procedure should match your specific premises and resources. A theatre's protocols will differ from a community hall's needs.

Establishing communication systems

Your communication procedures should reach everyone at your premises - employees, volunteers, and contractors. These protocols work best when included in:

• Staff training materials

• Venue hire contracts

• Visible signage and posters

Documentation and record keeping

Good records make a difference. Our tool helps you track:

• All implemented procedures

• Staff training and awareness sessions

• Regular reviews and updates

Note that these procedures can be straightforward. They should be practical measures that your staff understands and implements. The PDR tool guides you through creating protocols that suit your premises and comply with the bill's requirements.

Training Your Staff

Staff training plays a vital role in meeting the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill requirements. Our PDR tool will help you identify and implement the right training approach that suits your business.

Essential security awareness training

The bill doesn't specify mandatory training modules or courses. Your staff's ability to understand and implement security procedures takes priority. These free resources provide an excellent starting point:

• ACT Awareness e-Learning - Award-winning counter-terrorism awareness training

• See, Check and Notify (SCaN) programme - Helps maximise security using existing resources

• Citizen Aid app - Provides practical emergency response guidance

Role-specific responsibilities

Each role demands a unique level of awareness. Duty managers and front-of-house staff require comprehensive training compared to other team members. We support you to:

• Identify key roles and responsibilities

• Create role-specific training packages

• Develop clear communication channels

Regular drills and exercises

Your team's preparedness depends on consistent practise. The bill requires that your procedures are routinely rehearsed. The recommended implementation includes:

1. Tabletop exercises

2. Walk-through scenarios

3. Emergency response simulations

4. Communication drills

Our PDR tool guides you through designing and documenting these activities that align with your premises and resources. Quick and effective emergency response becomes second nature to your staff through our practical training programmes. We customise these programmes to match your business's specific requirements.

Implementing Protection Measures

You don't need complex or expensive methods to protect your premises effectively. Our PDR tool will help you identify and set up the most suitable security solutions.

Budget-friendly security solutions

Standard tier premises (200-799 capacity) need simple, low-cost activities that make a big difference. These include:

• Training staff to secure doors and shutters

• Identifying safe evacuation routes

• Creating clear communication protocols

• Establishing lockdown procedures

Standard tier premises won't need physical alterations or equipment purchases according to the bill.

Technology and tools

We'll help you set up extra security measures if you manage enhanced tier premises (800+ capacity):

• CCTV systems for monitoring

• Security staff deployment

• Surveillance of immediate vicinity

• Documentation systems

Trauma kits make a great starting point. Anyone can use them without special training to stabilise casualties until emergency services arrive. The PDR report provides a clear assessment of your site and recommended guidelines to ensure compliance with the new law.

Ongoing monitoring and review

The Security Industry Authority (SIA) conducts regular inspections with 72 hours' notice. Inspectors may:

• Review security documentation

• Observe security activities

• Interview relevant staff members

• Assess compliance levels

We'll help you maintain proper documentation and stay ready for inspections to ensure continued compliance. Note that the SIA aims to provide advice and support rather than immediate enforcement. But serious penalties apply for non-compliance, ranging up to £10,000 for standard tier premises and £18 million or 5% of worldwide revenue for enhanced tier premises.

Our PDR tool ensures your protection measures stay current and work well. This helps you avoid penalties while keeping your staff and visitors safe.

Conclusion

Small business security should be simple and affordable. The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill introduces new requirements that businesses can meet with the right planning and support. PDR tool makes compliance straightforward. It guides you through risk assessments, security procedures, staff training, and documentation requirements. Standard tier premises can achieve compliance without structural changes through practical, budget-friendly measures.

Staff readiness is the life-blood of security that works. PDR helps create clear protocols and implement training programmes. Everything in protecting your premises and people depends on proper documentation to meet legal requirements.

Try PDR with a demo and free trial today. Note that security preparation protects your staff, customers, and business future. PDR's guidance builds a safer, more secure environment that meets regulatory requirements.

[1] - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/terrorism-protection-of-premises-bill-2024-factsheets/terrorism-protection-of-premises-bill-regulation-sanctions-and-enforcement-factsheet
[2] - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/terrorism-protection-of-premises-bill-2024-factsheets/terrorism-protection-of-premises-bill-standard-duty-requirements-factsheet
[3] - https://homeofficemedia.blog.gov.uk/2024/09/13/martyns-law-factsheet/
[4] - https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/65c0dcd3c4319100141a456e/05.02.24_Martyn_s_Law_Standard_Tier_Consultation_.pdf
[5] - https://www.ftbchambers.co.uk/news/article-view/martyns-law-the-main-provisions-in-the-new-terrorism-protection-of-premises-bill-2024
[6] - https://www.protectuk.police.uk/group/84
[7] - https://www.counterterrorism.police.uk/adviceforbusinesses/
[8] - https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/martyns-law-standard-tier-consultation/terrorism-protection-of-premises-bill-standard-tier-consultation-accessible
[9] - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/terrorism-protection-of-premises-bill-2024-factsheets/terrorism-protection-of-premises-bill-enhanced-duty-requirements-factsheet
[10] - https://www.protectuk.police.uk/martyns-law/martyns-law-overview-and-what-you-need-know
[11] - https://www.gov.uk/government/news/martyns-law-introduced-to-parliament-to-better-protect-the-public-from-terrorism
[12] - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/terrorism-protection-of-premises-bill-2024-impact-assessment/terrorism-protection-of-premises-bill-impact-assessment-accessible
[13] - https://www.worcestershire.gov.uk/council-services/communities/community-safety/protect-protection-premises-terrorism-bill