Martyn’s Law laid before Parliament seven years after Manchester Arena bombing

The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill was laid before Parliament seven years after a suicide bomber detonated a homemade device in the foyer of Manchester Arena at the end of an Ariana Grande concert, killing 22 people and injuring hundreds of others. The Bill was named Martyn’s Law after one of the victims of the attack, Martyn Hett.

Martyn's Law aims to protect the public from terrorist attacks and was drafted in response to the Manchester Arena bombing on 22 May 2017, which killed 22 people and injured hundreds of others. Photograph: iStock/coward_lion

Martyn’s mother, Figen Murray, who has been campaigning for the new law to be introduced since 2017, said the Bill’s progress to Parliament means that “we are one step closer to making public spaces safer for everyone”. 

The draft legislation includes two tiers linked to the size of the venue, the number of people attending and the activity taking place. The standard tier applies to venues with a capacity of more than 200 but less than 800 people. Businesses with events that fall into this category will have to take “simple yet effective” steps to put in place procedures to protect the public in the event of an attack. These steps could include training staff to lock doors and to identify a route to safety.

The enhanced tier applies to premises and events with capacity for more than 800 people. Businesses running these types of events will be required by law to put more serious measures in place, such as installing CCTV or hiring security staff. Failure to do so could result in hefty fines.

“This legislation will strengthen public safety, help protect staff and the public from terrorism and ensure we learn the lessons from the terrible Manchester Arena attack and the inquiry that followed,” said UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper. “It is important we now take this forward through Parliament in Martyn’s memory and to help keep people safe.”

The second reading of the Bill will take place on 14 October.

If and when the Bill receives Royal Assent and becomes law, businesses “will be given time and support to understand and implement their new obligations and allow for the new regulator to be established,” said Matt Jukes, head of Counter Terrorism Policing. He added: “This will include dedicated guidance so that those affected will have the required information on what to do and how best to do it.”