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.
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 ...
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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