Manchester bombing victim’s mum launches campaign for ‘Martyn’s Law’ to make it tougher for terrorists to strike
JUST over two years ago, my world fell apart when my son Martyn Hett went to a concert – and never came home.
A suicide bomber walked into the foyer of the Manchester Arena and detonated a nail bomb that killed 22 people — including my 29-year-old son — and injured hundreds more.
After Martyn died I was like a zombie, numb with grief and shock.
Then, I made a promise to myself. I wouldn’t let his death destroy me or poison me with hate.
I would channel my pain into helping others, for Martyn’s sake.
So today, in Manchester, not far from where my son was murdered, I am launching the campaign for Martyn’s Law.
I want to see all venues, whether they are holding concerts, sporting events or theatre productions, to have a counter-terrorism plan in place, by law.
NO OBVIOUS SECURITY
Businesses are obliged to follow health and safety rules, which dictate how many toilets they have or what temperature to store food. We expect to see fire safety procedures wherever we go.
Yet many people would be surprised that, in a time when our official terrorist threat level is classed as “severe”, venues catering to thousands — even tens of thousands — of people are not obliged to assess their risks and procedures for a possible terrorist attack.
I want to see all venues, whether they are holding concerts, sporting events or theatre productions, to have a counter-terrorism plan in place, by law.
About a year after Martyn’s death I went to a theatre to watch a singer.
I took my smallest handbag because I assumed that, after the Manchester Arena attack, everywhere would have very tight security measures in place.
I assumed my bag would be checked or scanned, but that was not the case. In fact, I couldn’t see any obvious security measures and that made me very nervous. I spent the whole concert feeling uneasy.
Whenever I stay in a hotel, the first thing I do is check for the nearest fire exit. I have done for years, just as I check for the emergency exits whenever I board a plane.
Yet prior to Martyn’s death it wouldn’t have occurred to me to do the same at an arena or a theatre.
It isn’t just about ensuring safety at the start of an event, but also the middle and the end.
Manchester’s Mayor, Andy Burnham, who is supporting our launch today, observed that the attack on the Bataclan theatre in Paris which left 131 dead happened during the concert.
The Manchester Arena bomb occurred as the gig finished.
At theatres, the doors are often opened at the interval for smokers, meaning anyone could walk in.
Like most people, I don’t want terrorism to change our lives or bring about a police state. My other four children still go to concerts, as do I.
Initially I thought we should have mandatory bag checks and metal detectors at every venue. What I have learned is that this isn’t possible for every event or place.
It isn’t just about ensuring safety at the start of an event, but also the middle and the end.
Security comes in all shapes and forms, and some methods are more covert than others.
What I am calling for is for all venues to assess the security of their customers and put in place a plan to address any major risks.
This might be an evacuation plan, or taking up free staff training, or random bag searches.
People often resist change, but it doesn’t take long for new habits to become normal.
Just think about how we have adapted to new rules at our airports. Of course, no law can stop all terror attacks.
It is incredibly difficult to predict an attack such as the Manchester Arena bombing, or the London Bridge attack.
But we can make it harder for terrorists to cause the scale of carnage that we saw in Manchester.
We put locks on our front doors and install alarms to do as much as we can to protect our homes.
We don’t just leave our doors open to allow burglars to walk in.
When I started my petition, my reasons were three-fold.
GOVERNMENT MUST LISTEN
Firstly, to make the public more aware of security and secondly, to encourage venues to step up security.
But the other reason is to act as a deterrent to terrorists. If they see a place where bag searches are going on, they might think again about committing an attack there.
The police have already asked the Government to bring in such a law. Ministers have heard from victims and survivors.
Now we are asking people to back our campaign by writing to Home Secretary Sajid Javid.
How to help
Please copy, sign and send this letter to Sajid Javid at The Home Office, 2 Marsham St, Westminster, London, SW1P 4DF or tweet him
Dear Home Secretary,
I support the campaign to keep people more secure in the UK by introducing Martyn’s Law. It is absolutely right and proper that people going about their daily lives should feel confident that, wherever they are, appropriate steps have been taken to protect them from terrorism.
Martyn’s Law will help the public support the police and make the United Kingdom a hostile place for terrorists.
Please help to keep our country safe by introducing Martyn’s Law.
Yours sincerely ...
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Martyn’s Law is not just a tribute to my son, but to all the other innocent people who lost their lives on May 22, 2017.
Whoever the new Prime Minister may be, the Government must listen. The proposal is simple common sense.
It could save thousands of lives and stop any other family going through what we have.
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