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Right then, let's have a proper chinwag about Martyn's Law,
shall we? It's been a fair bit of a talking point since it received Royal
Assent just the other day (Thursday, 3rd April 2025, for those keeping score).
And rightly so. It's a significant step towards bolstering the security of our
public spaces, something driven with incredible strength and dignity by Figen
Murray OBE in memory of her son Martyn Hett.
But here's the thing that's really struck me – and what
should be on all our minds as this legislation beds in over the next couple of
years: Martyn's Law can't just be about jumping through hoops. It's not about a
one-off assessment and then letting things slide. To truly honour its purpose
and make a real difference to our safety, it needs to be about weaving a
culture of security into the very fabric of how our venues operate.
Think about it. Terrorism, at its core, is a criminal act.
And while the scale and intent might differ from everyday crime, many of the
fundamental principles of prevention overlap. Venues that are on the ball when
it comes to deterring crime – things like keeping a watchful eye on who's
about, controlling access, and generally being vigilant – are already laying
the groundwork for a stronger counter-terrorism posture. It's about raising the
baseline of security awareness across the board.
Martyn's Law, if implemented and enforced correctly, has the
potential to do just that. It's about fostering a mindset where preparedness
isn't a burden, but simply how things are done. It's about our pubs, our
theatres, our community halls – all those places where people gather – taking
proactive steps to safeguard their staff and visitors.
However, there's a real risk that compliance could become a
superficial affair. Venues might just scramble to meet the minimum requirements
for an inspection, only to let those standards slip in the day-to-day. We can't
let Martyn's Law become the security equivalent of a once-a-year MOT for your
car – all spruced up for the test, but potentially neglected the rest of the
time.
Instead, security needs to be embedded in the very ethos of
venue management. Regular reviews of procedures, ongoing and effective staff
training, and up-to-date emergency plans must become the norm, not the
exception.
And when we talk about training, let's be clear: it needs to
be top-notch. We're talking about instruction led by people who've genuinely
been there and done that – those with real-world experience in crisis response,
law enforcement, the military, or professional security. It can't be purely
theoretical; it needs the weight of practical knowledge to equip staff with the
skills to make critical decisions under pressure. But it's not just about the
experience; these trainers also need the skills to teach effectively and assess
understanding properly.
So, what should this training actually cover? For Martyn's
Law to have a tangible impact, it needs to be comprehensive. Think about:
- Crucial
First Aid and Medical Response: From basic first aid for everyone to
potentially dedicated medical personnel for larger venues.
- Sharpening
Situational Awareness: Teaching staff to recognise those subtle signs, to
spot something that doesn't feel quite right.
- Mastering
Crowd Management and Security Protocols: Specialist training for those on
the front lines, managing crowds, controlling access, and handling tricky
situations.
- Practicing
Emergency Response: Regular drills to ensure everyone knows exactly what
to do in a crisis, from evacuation to lockdown.
- Clear
Communication and Coordination: Making sure information flows effectively
when it matters most.
And here's a thought: shouldn't this sort of security
training be a nationally recognised qualification? It would ensure a consistent
standard across all venues, properly validate the skills of security
professionals, provide a clear pathway for career development, and improve
overall accountability. It could also be a fantastic way for skilled
individuals leaving our police and military forces to transition their
expertise into vital civilian security roles.
Of course, training can't be a one-off. It needs to be
ongoing, with regular refreshers and practical exercises to keep skills sharp.
And there needs to be a robust system for monitoring this training, with the
Security Industry Authority (SIA) playing a crucial oversight role to ensure
standards are maintained throughout the year.
Ultimately, the success of Martyn's Law hinges on strong
enforcement. We need regular checks, real consequences for non-compliance, and
ongoing accountability to ensure security remains a priority, not just a
reaction to an impending inspection.
The real challenge is to shift the mindset – to move
security from being seen as a burden to being an integral part of how we run
our public spaces. If we can achieve that, through continuous vigilance,
proactive training, and firm regulatory oversight, Martyn's Law has the
potential to truly transform security across the UK, making our venues safer
for everyone while fostering a genuine culture of preparedness and
responsibility.
What steps do you think are crucial to ensure venues
maintain these high security standards day in, day out, not just when they know
an assessment might be on the horizon? Let's get the conversation going and
help shape a more secure future for us all.
Inspired by articles by Michael Wagg, Michael Hawkes QCB, Richard J Aitch, David McKelvey, Trevel Henry and many more who contribute to LinkedIn.
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