Protect Duty Consultation Webinar

The government has set out its proposals on a new Protect Duty. A legal requirement for public places to ensure preparedness for and protection from terrorist attacks.

The proposals have been championed by victims’ groups, including the Martyn’s Law campaign which was established by Figen Murray, who tragically lost her son, Martyn, in the Manchester Arena attack in 2017.

The focus of attention is to provide the public with the best possible protection against those who wish to harm.

The consultation will seek the views on:

·       Who the Duty should apply to.

·       What it will require of stakeholders.

·       How compliance should work implemented.

·       How the Government can support those in scope.

Whilst subject to consultation, the intention is that the Duty would apply to specified owners and operators of public venues, large organisations and those responsible for public spaces.

It would require those in scope to consider terrorist threats, and consider and implement appropriate and proportionate protective security and organisational preparedness measures.

For further understanding of the Protect Duty, The Association of Security Consultants are holding a Protect Duty Consultation webinar at 10:00 on Monday 29th March.

The event will launch with input from, Shaun Hipgrave, the Home Office Director for Protect and Prepare of the Office for Security and Counter Terrorism (OSCT) and one of the Protect Duty consultation leads. Shaun will provide background to the Protect Duty and outline what is being considered for inclusion in new legislation, as well as what the consultation process is seeking to achieve. 

Next, we will hear from the commercial sector with Bob Eastwood, operations advisor at the English Football League (EFL). Bob will give an overview of the approach being taken by football clubs – both for games and for their conferencing activities.

Finally, we will get a view from leading licensing and disciplinary lawyer Jeremy Phillips QC about the legal implications for organisations and individuals likely to be covered by a Protect Duty, and those advising them on security matters.   

"The aim of the debate is to equip ASC members with the facts they need before submitting their views to the consultation," said Joe Connell.

"The Protect Duty will have a huge impact on our profession. We need to make sure our voice is heard by government, but we also need to ensure that we, as security experts, have a clear understanding of what the duty is proposing before making our voice heard." 

Places for this event are limited and pre-registration is mandatory using this link: Protect Duty Consultation Webinar

I hope you can make the event, and wish you all a nice weekend.

Gary