Boris Johnson pledges new law to force venues to ramp up security to protect people from terror attacks
BORIS Johnson last night pledged a new law to force venues that host large public events to ramp up security to protect attendees against the threat of terror attacks.
Businesses, charities and public groups will be required to assess the threat of a terror attack and have evacuation arrangements in place as part of their health and safety strategy.
It is designed to combat the “changing nature” of terror attacks that has seen individuals acting alone - such as the lone wolf attack carried out by Usman Khan in London Bridge last week.
It is a victory for the family of Martyn Hett - a victim of the 2017 Manchester bombing - who have been campaigning for the change ever since.
The move - dubbed ‘Martyn’s Law’ - would ensure the new regulations are “reasonable and proportionate” so they don’t impose crippling red tape on smaller venues.
A Tory aide said: "We want it to get to a point where it protects the public but it doesn't prevent people enjoying themselves."
Mr Johnson said: “The nature of threats faced by British citizens has changed in the evolution of modern extremism.
“It is no longer sufficient for public venues to prepare for accidental threats like fire. They need to reduce their vulnerability to people who seek to perpetrate violent acts too.
“We must not let the terrorists alter our way of life. In our open and tolerant society, the freedom for citizens to enjoy markets, concerts, gigs and restaurants must continue as before.
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“But there are steps we can and will take to make public spaces as secure as possible. Already we are increasing the budget for counter-terrorism policing, including an extra £160million a year, and we are developing a new counter-extremism strategy to reflect the changing face of extremism.”
The move was welcomed by the Survivors Against Terror campaign.
Charlotte Dixon-Sutcliffe, whose partner David was killed in the Brussels metro bombing, said: “We strongly welcome the commitment of the Prime Minister to support Martyn’s Law and the Survivor’s Charter. Combined, these two policies will make our country safer and provide the sort of support to survivors that the British public would expect. We also welcome today’s commitment from the Labour Party to support the Charter."
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