Venues should have plan to deal with terror attacks, say Tories

VENUES that regularly host large events will be required to plan responses to terror attacks rather than relying on “have-a-go heroes” under Tory proposals.

Ministers want to put a legal requirement on businesses to have a plan in place to deal with terrorist attacks.

The proposal is being backed by a group of terror victims led by Brendan Cox, the widower of the late MP Jo Cox, who was murdered by a far-right activist in 2016.

The idea is that private venue owners who host hundreds of people for events should have a plan for terrorist attacks in the same way that they have to obey health and safety legislation.

The plans are dubbed “Martyn’s Law” after Martyn Hett, who was one of 22 music fans killed in the Manchester Arena bombing in 2017.

Figen Murray, Martyn’s mother, said:

“Heroes risking their lives to stop terror attacks is both admirable and humbling. But we shouldn’t have to rely on passing heroes. All venues should have in place basic security plans to keep people safe. The fact this legislation doesn’t yet exist is absurd and is making us all less safe.”

The Tory manifesto commits to “improve

‘Heroes risking their lives to stop attacks is admirable. But we shouldn’t have to rely on passing heroes’

the safety and security of public venues”. Security minister Brandon Lewis is said by friends to be “very sympathetic” to the changes.

Last night Labour said it backed the plans. A party spokesman said: “Labour welcomes and supports this plan to provide support and dignity for survivors caught up in terrorist attacks. In

Government we will ensure public services have the funding and protocols in place to respond effectively and compassionately.”

The measure would form part of a “survivor’s charter” developed by a group called Survivors Against Terror. In a letter to today’s Daily Telegraph, 69 friends and relations of terror victims back the call for a charter.

They represent victims of the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing, the 2015 Bataclan theatre massacre in Paris, the 7/7 attacks in London in 2005, the 2015 beach attacks in Tunisia as well as the attacks on London Bridge in 2017.

The group says: “We are sick of promises to look after victims, who then face months of delay for mental health support or years of waiting for compensation. We ask all parties to consult on and implement a new ‘survivors’ charter’ that would guarantee them basic rights and services.”