Understanding the Protection of Premises Bill: 10 Key Points

The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill, also known as Martyn's Law, is a new law to make public places safer in the UK. This law will make people who run venues put in place safety measures and be ready for possible terrorist attacks.

Key Takeaways

Background and Context

Since 2017, the UK has had 15 terrorist attacks at home, and stopped 39 more from happening. Right now, an attack is likely. This new law comes from suggestions after the Manchester Arena attack and London Bridge attack. It aims to make public spaces safer and help everyone think more about security.

Key Requirements for Venue Operators

The law has two levels based on how many people a venue can hold:

1. Standard Tier (200-799 people): - Tell the regulator - Put in basic safety procedures - Train staff regularly on security - Make and keep an emergency plan

2. Enhanced Tier (800+ people): - Do detailed checks for terrorism risks - Put in strong safety measures - Have a person in charge of security - Check and update security plans often - Practice security drills regularly

What Places Does the Bill Cover?

The bill covers places and events that:

• Have at least 800 people
• Need permission to enter (like paid tickets or invitations)
• Are open to the public
• Have regular public gatherings in certain places
• Are temporary events that last longer than a certain time

Some places aren't included, like transport hubs and government buildings. The bill also thinks about what kind of place it is, where it is, and how bad an attack could be when deciding what safety measures are needed.

How It Affects Hospitals and Care Homes

Hospitals and care homes need to be extra careful because they're open to the public and provide important services. They must:

• Check their buildings for weak spots
• Update their safety plans often
• Get ready for different threats (like knife attacks or bombs)
• Control who can come in and out
• Teach staff how to spot and react to suspicious behavior
• Work with local police and emergency services

When Will This Happen?

The government thinks it will take 24 months to put everything in place. This time is for: - Setting up the regulator (probably the Security Industry Authority) - Giving venue operators time to get ready - Making guidance and support materials - Training inspectors and people who will enforce the rules - Slowly bringing in the requirements for different types of places

Making Sure People Follow the Rules

The regulator will be able to: - Give guidance and support - Deal with serious cases where people don't follow the rules - Give out fines and other punishments - Do inspections and checks - Tell people to make improvements - Work with other regulators to make sure the rules are followed everywhere

How Much Will It Cost?

Putting the Protection of Premises Bill into action will cost money for venue operators. This might include:

• Buying security equipment and technology
• Paying for staff training
• Maybe needing to hire more security staff
• Paying for risk assessments and security planning

The government might help organizations manage these costs.

Conclusion

The Protection of Premises Bill is a big step towards making public places in the UK safer. It means people who run venues, including hospitals, need to take action to protect against terrorist threats. It will take time to put everything in place, but the bill aims to create a safer environment for everyone. Keep up to date with these changes and how they might affect where you work or visit. By everyone thinking more about security and being prepared, the UK can better protect people from possible terrorist attacks.