Workers to get mandatory terror attack training under Home Office plans

Workers could be required to undergo training on how to respond to terror attacks in their workplace under new government plans.

In an unprecedented move, the Home Office has announced it will introduce primary legislation requiring owners and operators of public spaces to put in place measures to prepare for terror incidents.

These could include increased physical security, as well as training for staff on incident response plans and exercises on what to do during an attack, the department said.

The announcement follows pressure from victims’ groups such as the Martyn’s Law campaign – established by Figen Murray, whose son Martyn Hett was killed in the Manchester Arena attack – which have called for better protection from terror attacks across public venues.

There is currently no law compelling venues to implement counterterrorism measures beyond standard health and safety legislation, although guidance and training is provided by a national network of specialist police security advisers.

Security minister James Brokenshire said the legislation, set to be named the “Protect Duty”, would help protect the public without putting “undue pressure” on businesses – stressing that it would be “proportionate”.

He said a public consultation on the new law will be launched in the spring to seek views from business and the public sector on the proportionality, scope of the duty, and how it should be enforced.

“Our first priority is keeping the public safe and preventing more families from suffering the heartbreak of losing a loved one,” Mr Brokenshire said.

It follows the bomb attack at the Manchester Arena in 2017, as well as incidents at Fishmongers' Hall and Streatham in a six-month period.

The head of Counter Terrorism Policing, Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu, welcomed the plans, saying it was “absolutely crucial” that the public sector and wider society contributed to protecting the public from terrorism.

He said: “Terror attacks can happen anywhere, and at any time. To deliver a protective security system which best defends against the wide range of threats we face, we need the whole of society – including business and the private sector – to contribute to that effort."

Mike Cherry, national chair of the Federation of Small Businesses, said that while businesses were keen to see any measures to prevent or deter terrorism, ministers must carefully consider cost implications for smaller venues where owners already struggle with high costs.

He added: “This must be delivered alongside the government accelerating its promise to recruit more police officers, and to have them out on the streets; this is the best way to make businesses and communities safer.

“Despite prevention and deterrent activities, terrorism incidents within and against the UK are still happening. Small businesses in local areas around this incidents are at the front line, and in addition to preparing for, and sometimes dealing with the incident itself, they have to face the aftermath.”

Local councils said they "stood ready" to work with the government to make public spaces safer, but that faced with ongoing funding and demand pressures, they would need "adequate resources to meet any new responsibilities".

Cllr Simon Blackburn, chair of the Local Government Association’s safer and stronger communities board, said: “A proportionate and reasonable public duty could assist councils in working with owners and operators of public spaces and venues to reduce the threat from terrorism.

“However, consideration needs to be given to what licensing and planning powers councils might need to be able to drive improvements in the way public space is designed and operated to make it safer."

Liberal Democrat home affairs spokeswoman Christine Jardine welcomed the fact that the work of campaigners such as Ms Murray had been recognised, but said the new law must be backed up with the money and resources to prevent terrorism.

“Boris Johnson must also therefore use the upcoming budget to address the unnecessary Conservative cuts to the police, prisons, probation and rehabilitation," she added.

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