One of the United Kingdom’s most experienced counter-terrorism and security experts, Hardstaff Barriers is offering free advice to event organizers, about the impact of imminent changes to the law, which would improve the safety of venues and public spaces.
Niall Griffin, a former Police Inspector and Counter-Terrorist Security Coordinator, is offering advice in relation to Protect Duty and what it means for event organizers.
Martyn’s Law
The new law would see the British public better protected against terrorist attacks
Also known as Martyn’s Law, it was established in honor of Martyn Hett, one of the 22 victims tragically killed in a terrorist attack, which took place at the Manchester Arena, in Manchester, United Kingdom, in 2017.
There is currently no legislative requirement for organizations or venues to consider or employ security measures at the vast majority of public places in the United Kingdom. The new law would see the British public better protected against terrorist attacks.
Response to Protect Duty public consultation
In January 2022, the UK government published its response to a Protect Duty public consultation, which ran between February 26 and July 2, 2021. In total, 2,755 responses were received from a variety of organizations, sectors and campaigners, with the majority supporting the UK government’s proposals to introduce stronger measures.
Seven in 10 respondents agreed that those responsible for publicly accessible locations should take appropriate and proportionate measures, in order to better protect the public from terrorist attacks and lone attacker threats. These included ensuring staffs were trained to respond appropriately to terror incidents.
Vast experience in hostile vehicle mitigation (HVM) barriers
Currently employed by the globally renowned security barrier supplier, Hardstaff Barriers, Niall Griffin has backed Protect Duty, since it was first proposed and has also personally responded to the public consultation.
Following his 30-year policing career and now a Chartered Security Professional, Niall Griffin is thought to be one of the most knowledgeable counter-terrorism specialists, working in the temporary hostile vehicle mitigation (HVM) barrier industry.
Register of Chartered Security Professionals
There is no doubt that the ‘Protect Duty’ is a huge step in the right direction"
Being admitted to the Register of Chartered Security Professionals is considered the gold standard of competence in security practice and recognizes the highest standards of professionalism and ongoing proficiency.
Niall Griffin, the General Manager - Hardstaff Secure at Hardstaff Barriers, said “There is no doubt that the ‘Protect Duty’ is a huge step in the right direction and one which the security industry has been crying out for. The proportionality part of Martyn’s Law is very important – not all sites and venues are the same, so a blanket approach would be counter-productive.”
Niall Griffin adds, “This must be proportionate with individual business models, but there is no reason why anyone who runs any sort of event that welcomes people in at a publicly accessible location wouldn’t have to comply with this.”
Protect Duty proposes five key requirements:
- A requirement that spaces and places, to which the public have access, engage with freely available counter-terrorism advice and training.
- A requirement for those places to conduct vulnerability assessments of their operating places and spaces.
- A requirement for those places to have a mitigation plan for the risks created by the vulnerabilities.
- A requirement for those places to have a counter-terrorism plan.
- A requirement for local authorities to plan for the threat of terrorism.