A campaign calling for improved security in venues and public spaces in the aftermath of the devastating Manchester Arena attack in 2017 is gaining momentum.
Martyn's Law has gained the backing from Brendan Cox, the husband of murdered MP Jo Cox, as well as retired police officer Nick Aldworth, who worked as one of Britain's most senior counter-terrorism officers in recent months.
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The campaign was originally set up by Figen Murray, who is the mum of Martyn Hett - one of the 22 people killed after a bomb was detonated inside Manchester Arena at an Ariana Grande concert on 22nd May 2017.
Figen, Brendan and Nick are joined by retired counter-terror Inspector Andrea Bradbury to call for government backing for the campaign, which now wants to see the introduction of new legislation for the protection of the public.
On Tuesday, security minister Ben Wallace said the government was "considering whether and how further legislation could support, or indeed compel, effective and proportionate protective security," adding that he is looking forward to speaking to Figen about the campaign.
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He said: "Just as we share enjoyment of these communal places and spaces so we need to share concern and responsibility for keeping them as safe as possible.
"That means owners, operators and public authorities stepping up and making full use of the wide range of information and advice available to support them."
A petition for Martyn's Law, which has now ended, attracted over 23,000 signatures in its support.
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Figen wants to see the mandatory use of metal detectors and bag searches at public venues to safeguard the public from any future atrocities.
Following the support of Brendan's organisation, Survivors Against Terror, the campaign is now calling for legislation to make all venues and public spaces have security plans and procedures in place, as well as having a plan for the threat of terrorism.
So what exactly is Martyn's Law calling for in these spaces?
- Engage with freely available counter-terrorism advice and training
- Conduct vulnerability assessments of their operating places and spaces
- Put in place a counter-terrorism plan
- Mitigate the risks created by the vulnerabilities.
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A proposed source of government funding has already been identified.
"For 36 years I worked in the military and the police to keep our country safe and I can tell you that unless we get better at sharing that responsibility more people may be murdered or harmed by terrorists," retired police officer Nick told Manchester Evening News, adding that this already happens in other areas of policy.
He continued: "For example when it comes to preventing fire we know it's not just a job for fire fighters - we expect the law to play its part from planning legislation to mandatory fire escapes and drills. It's time we take the same approach to terrorism.
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"In the last few years I and my colleagues in the police have been pushing ministers to legislate this duty to protect so that local authorities and businesses take the common sense security steps necessary to keep us safe."
Figen said: "It cannot be right that venues are held legally responsible for how many toilets they have, but not for basic security measures that could prevent a terror attack.
"We're launching this campaign today because we don't want any other family to go through what we have when so many of these attacks could be prevented or their impact reduced."
The public to show more support for Martyn's Law by writing to Home Secretary Sajid Javid.
The campaign is being supported by Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, who says the city is ready to be the first city to endorse the new legislation and become a pilot area.