Business Engage Profiles Security expert to advise on major law change

A security specialist from Coventry is offering a free advice clinic to help organisations in the region ensure they are prepared for impending antiterrorism legislation in 2024.

Safetyflex Barriers is running its advice clinic across January and February to provide organisations with a free 30-minute consultation on the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill.

The Bill was one of 21 mentioned in the King's Speech in November, signalling the Government's intention to pass it into law this year.

Named after Martyn Hett – who was one of 22 people killed by a terrorist attack as he left an Ariana Grande concert at the Manchester Arena in 2017 – it will place a statutory duty on qualifying premises and events to improve public safety and protect against the threat of terrorism.

According to the Home Office, the legislation could affect some 650,000 businesses in the UK, ranging from hotels and restaurants to stadiums and council buildings.

Family-run firm Safetyflex Barriers is the UK’s leading supplier of anti-terror bollards and barriers; securing stadiums, shopping centres and city-centre public realm projects with its patented anti-terror bollards and crash-rated street furniture.

The company is holding its free Martyn’s Law Advice Clinic for any organisation across January and February to provide information on the legislation and expert advice on how to be compliant.

Director Marcus Gerrard said: “The terrorist threat we face is diverse and continually evolving and Martyn’s Law will undoubtedly have a significant impact on how organisations counter that, as well as on public safety itself.

“Following the King’s Speech, businesses are now looking at how to improve their practices, so we are delighted to be launching a free clinic across January and February to assist those in our region.

“Our patented designs and innovations utilise special military-grade steel and we are the only company in the world which does this. That has helped us become world-leaders in hostile-vehicle mitigation, securing high-profile sites in more than 25 countries across six continents.

“We’ve supported large stadiums such as Twickenham, Wimbledon and the home of Saracens Rugby Club in boosting their defences, right through to leisure and tourist attractions such as the London Eye and Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market, so we’re well positioned to steer organisations through Martyn’s Law and any potential challenges.”

The Bill is currently going through pre-legislative scrutiny, but a draft includes measures such as creating anti-terrorism plans, staff undertaking terrorism protection training, and installing hostile vehicle mitigation such as bollards and barriers.

Qualifying public premises have been classed as those which are accessible to the public, hold 100 people or more, and are used for one of the qualifying activities such as retail, food and drink, or entertainment – as well as public events with a capacity of 800 or more.

Gerrard added: “The impact of this Bill, in terms of the sectors it will apply to, is really varied.

“However, this is only a good thing. What happened at the Manchester Arena in 2017 was a tragedy and this new law is owed to victims like Martyn Hett and others.”

Safetyflex’s award-winning products are crash-tested to IWA 14 industry standards at the HORIBA MIRA centre of excellence in Nuneaton and conform to PAS68 certification – the standard set by the British Standard Institute, which is considered to be the benchmark for the security industry.

To schedule a phone or in-person session at the clinic, businesses are asked to email info@safetyflexbarriers.com with the subject header

‘Martyn’s Law Advice Clinic’.