Preparing for Martyn’s Law

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What is Martyn’s Law?

On 2 May 2023, Martyn’s Law moved another step closer. The draft legislation, formerly known as The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill, was published by the Home Office. The draft Bill sets out what venues and other organisations would have to do to keep the public safe. It will apply across the UK and follows a campaign from Figen Murray, the mother of Martyn Hett, who sadly lost his life in the Manchester Arena terrorist attack in May 2017.

How will Martyn’s Law be applied?

The draft Bill will follow a tiered model based on the size of the venue and the activity taking place.

• The standard tier will apply to public premises with maximum capacities of 100 or more. Basic activities are likely to be required such as evaluating the best procedures to minimise the impact of a terrorist attack, and terrorism protection training.
• The enhanced tier applies to public premises and events with maximum capacities of 800 or more. Further requirements are likely to be required including providing a security plan, and appointing a designated senior officer to regularly review the venue’s security.

An inspection and enforcement regime will be established to promote the requirements for each tier. Non-compliance could result in sanctions and ultimately penalties for premises.

How could Martyn’s Law affect retailers?

As highlighted by British Retail Consortium Assistant Director, Graham Wynn, Martyn’s Law is particularly relevant to the industry given the large number of retail premises across the UK. Although many of the operational details are yet to be finalised, organisations are being advised to prepare now by familiarising themselves with the requirements. Specialist advice on evaluating and managing terrorism risks is also provided by ProtectUK.

Identifying retail security gaps

Martyn’s Law has brought public safety into sharp focus, reinforcing the need for shopping centre managers and owners to review their existing security plans and processes.

Having worked with more than 700 shopping centres globally, there are common gaps in security practices which could have a detrimental impact on communication and reporting in an emergency. Addressing these now will help retail organisations be more prepared for a crisis and ready to respond.

1. Inefficient incident reporting

   Ineffective reporting and communication can have a significant impact on security in shopping centres. Too often, manual systems are in place, risking inefficiency and inaccuracy. Paper-based reporting is not only time consuming but prone to error. Critical information, which must be distributed to numerous stakeholders, can take too long.

2. Insufficient training

   A lack of training on reporting incident reporting protocols can lead to confusion and delay in an emergency. Crucial reports may be completed incorrectly or inconsistently. Insufficient knowledge on how to recognise suspicious

3. Limited data analysis

   Without accurate data, shopping centres are unable to analyse trends, vulnerabilities or other patterns which could improve their security strategies. Information relating to an emergency such as response times, engagement with critical messages, and how quickly situations were resolved fails to be effectively documented.

4. Ineffective communication

   The need for clear and instant communication is paramount in a crisis, yet many shopping centres have ineffective channels in place. Multiple platforms are often in use along with manual methods which hinder the flow and speed of crucial information relating to security incidents. Communication processes are also hampered by hard-to-find lists of key stakeholders.

5. Lack of coordination

   Between Teams Ineffective security operations are exacerbated by a lack of coordination among security personnel, management, and retailers. This risks essential information, such as known threats or suspicious activity, not being shared properly, which could delay or even prevent a response to security problems.

Be better prepared for emergencies:

Safety and security policies are stored in one simple, easy to use place, ensuring tenants and staff can quickly access all the information they need with a tap of a button. Details of key keyholders and emergency contacts are also centralised to help prevent delays. Message templates for an emergency can be created ahead of time and are ready to distribute within seconds.

Act fast:

In an emergency, Kinexio enables teams to send live updates to users, ensuring a seamless response. Emergency messages can be triggered and sent instantly via email, push notification, texts and calls. Real time messaging means all stakeholders can be kept in touch and updated on the situation, helping to keep people calm and in control.

Continuously improve security processes:

Data can be easily accessed, and real time reports created to establish how quickly situations were resolved. Trends can be identified over time and pertinent information stored such as photos and eyewitness details in case further action is needed.

Interested to know more about how technology can help protect your property?

Reach out to the team today.

FAQ

What is the Martyn’s Law preparedness plan?

Martyn’s Law is a proposed UK legislation requiring public venues to improve security against terrorist threats. It mandates risk assessments, staff training, and emergency preparedness. Kinexio can help by providing a real-time communication and incident management platform, ensuring swift information sharing among stakeholders. Its instant alerts, document storage, and compliance tracking support proactive security measures, keeping venue operators, tenants, and security teams connected and prepared to respond effectively in emergencies.

What venues does Martyn’s Law apply to?

Martyn’s Law applies to UK venues with a capacity of 100+ people, including shopping centers, office buildings, transport hubs, stadiums, and entertainment venues. It mandates security measures like risk assessments and emergency planning. Kinexio supports compliance by enabling seamless communication between stakeholders, delivering real-time alerts, and providing secure document storage for security protocols. Its incident management features help venue operators, tenants, and security teams stay informed and prepared for potential threats.