The Prime Minister has been urged by senior police officers not to delay the introduction of new terrorism security laws in memory of Martyn Hett, one of 22 people killed in the Manchester Arena bombing.
Together with his mother, Figen Murray, they have written collectively to Rishi Sunak over the implementation of the 'Protect Duty' - also known as Martyn's Law. Plans were announced in May, but no Bill has been tabled as yet. Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, Ms Murray said: "This letter is signed by key people who were serving in May, 2017 - one still is to this date, and is supported by many others. This is the next step in urging the government to push the legislation forward."
Previously, she has called for face-to-face meetings with Mr Sunak and the Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, to 'push' the planned new counter-terrorism legislation up the government's agenda. Ms Murray said she feared the plans 'being delayed further', claiming they have already 'dragged on and on and on'.
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The letter is signed by Lucy D'Orsi, the Chief Constable of British Transport Police, and Neil Basu, the former head of UK counter-terror policing, as well as now-retired senior officers and Brendan Cox, the husband of murdered MP Jo Cox.
It says: "Today’s terror threat level is substantial, which as you know means that a terror attack in the UK is considered likely.
"While we don't know when and where that attack will take place, we do know that the way the terror threat has evolved in recent years has been to switch to cruder methods (more cars and knives than bombs) and to less protected locations.
"Since the horrific attack in Manchester in 2017 there have been eight further attacks in the UK. These attacks have taken place in the street, in a park, outside a hospital, at a railway station and at a small private event. None has taken place at a large venue such as a stadium or concert venue (where security has generally been improving).
"This threat to smaller venues who, as small-to-medium enterprises (SME) make such an enormous contribution to our economy, is a strategic challenge to our intelligence and policing services. As former and serving senior counter-terrorism practitioners, we know that with so many potential targets, security is not something that can be left to these services alone.
"We also understand the consequential costs to the UK economy, of a single terrorist attack, runs into millions of pounds."
They said a think-tank estimated that between 2004 and 2016, the total cost of terrorism to the UK has been a staggering £38billion. "That's why we have all supported the idea of a 'Protect Duty' and why in our view it must be implemented as quickly as possible," added the letter.
"This duty- also known as Martyn’s Law - would ask all public venues to take simple steps (such as staff training and basic security planning) to reduce the impact and risk of a terror attack. The law has won all party support and was announced in the Queen's speech – but it has yet to be published.
"Extending the law to as wide a range of publicly accessible locations as possible will not only help prevent terrorist attacks, it will mobilise more of our citizens to be aware of terrorism, resulting in more information flowing back into the intelligence and police services.
"Importantly, small-to-medium sized businesses will benefit from a free package of support and training, that has been developed through a Home Office initiative with the insurance industry. The Protect Duty will help level up public security with other risk management regulations such as fire and health and safety.
"Given the ongoing terror threat, we think this delay to implementation is dangerous to the public and it would also put the government in an invidious position if there were to be another attack where basic security measures could have made a difference. We urge you to bring the bill to parliament as quickly as possible and to ensure it applies to all but the very smallest of public venues."
The draft 'Protect Duty' Bill was one of 38 Bills announced in the package, following long delays to a period of public consultation due to the coronavirus pandemic. Under the proposals, venues would have a legal duty to devise and provide specific security plans for a terror attack, but there's been no update since then.
Private and public owners of venues and sites currently have no obligation to act on free advice given to them from specialist counter-terrorism advisers about threats of a terrorist attack and how to mitigate the risk. The announcement said in the wake of the Arena bombing, the legislation would introduce new requirements for certain public locations and venues to draw up plans to respond to terrorism.
The Government has said it wants to bring the law forward 'as soon as possible'.
A Government representative told the BBC the 'commitment made to the Protect Duty in the Queen's Speech and the 2019 manifesto remains'. "We are working hard to bring forward this important piece of legislation as soon as possible," they said. "We are very grateful to Figen Murray for campaigning for this vital piece of legislation."
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