New law planned to compel UK venues to reassess terror threat as part of H&S strategy

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced that sports stadiums and music venues in the country will be compelled to assess the threat of terrorist attacks as part of their health and safety strategy. The planned new law would involve potential fines for those venues that do not comply. The family of Martyn Hett, 29, who was killed in the Manchester Arena terror attack in 2017, had campaigned for the measure. In the event of a Conservative government being elected on 12 December, Ministers would either use existing laws or pass new legislation known as ‘Martyn’s law’ to create a legal duty for managers to have a plan to prevent and respond to attacks. “We must not let the terrorists alter our way of life,” Mr Johnson said. “In our open and tolerant society, the freedom for citizens to enjoy markets, concerts, gigs and restaurants must continue as before. But there are steps we can and will take to make public spaces as secure as possible.” It comes after the London Bridge attack on 29 November 2019, which saw two people murdered. The attack began inside the livery venue, Fishmongers’ Hall near the bridge, during a criminal rehabilitation conference. Two venue staff used fire extinguishers, chairs and a narwhal tusk ripped from the venue’s wall to battle the Islamic terrorist, Usman Khan, who was shot dead by police.