Home Office today announce planned consultation on new anti-terror laws for venues

“Today the Home Office announced new plans to introduce a law requiring operators of public spaces and both licensed and non-licensed venues to formulate safety and security measures to protect the public from terrorist attacks.

The new proposed ‘Protect Duty’ would, if approved, place a requirement on venues to take into consideration the risk of terrorist attacks and to ensure that venues have reasonable preventative measures in place to ensure the safety of the public. This could come in the form of increased physical security, specific terror prevention training, and enhanced risk assessments.

Security Minister James Brokenshire today said “Our first priority is keeping the public safe and preventing more families from suffering the heartbreak of losing a loved one. The devastating attacks in 2017, and more recently at Fishmongers’ Hall and Streatham, are stark reminders of the current threat we face. We are in complete agreement with campaigners such as Figen Murray on the importance of venues and public spaces having effective and proportionate protective security and preparedness measures to keep people safe. Of course, it is important that this new law is proportionate. This public consultation will ensure we put in place a law that will help protect the public while not putting undue pressure on businesses”.

The public consultation is expected to commence in Spring this year and will seek views from a broad range of bodies including the licensed trade, security industry and campaign groups. It will ask for views on the proportionality of the proposed duty, its scope and how it should be effectively enforced.

Further details will follow.”

For further information on this or any other legal related licensing issues contact solicitor Andy Grimsey 0115 953 8500 or email a.grimsey@popall.co.uk.