Anti-terror law in wake of Manchester Arena bomb are a threat to thousands of ... trends now
Thousands of village halls across Britain face possible closure if they are forced to comply with new anti-terrorism legislation to improve security in public places following the Manchester Arena bombing.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is committed to Martyn's Law – named after Martyn Hett, one of the victims of the 2017 attack – requiring venues of all sizes to implement security measures such as training and evacuation plans.
But concerns have been raised over the burdensome red-tape effect of the proposed rules on the UK's 10,000 volunteer-manned village halls which are at the heart of communities.
Tory MP Tim Loughton, who sits on the Commons home affairs select committee, told The Mail on Sunday that it could 'easily be the final nail in the coffin of these much-loved community hubs'.
One village hall in Kingsclere, Hampshire, is among the first to warn it will probably have to close.
Thousands of village halls across Britain, like this one in Kinsclere, Hampshire, face possible closure if they are forced to comply with new anti-terrorism legislation to improve security in public places following the Manchester Arena bombing
Martyn's Law - requiring venues of all sizes to implement security measures such as training and evacuation plans - has been proposed in the wake of the Manchester Arena bombing. Pictured: Police officers outside the venue after the attack in 2017
Chairman Sharon Morris said in a submission to the home affairs select committee, which is scrutinising the new Bill: 'A consequence of the Bill if enacted will be that terrorists will have succeeded by precipitating the breaking up of society, with no need for further bombs.
'The Terrorism Bill in its current form would probably bring about the closure of our village hall…
'Trustees are premises' owners and rightly have duties, but those duties appear to make us responsible for the way in which community groups conduct their functions, and for providing them with training etc.
'We simply cannot have that level of responsibility for other people's conduct. Other ways to cascade it must be found.
'Otherwise community organisations in rural settings like ours will die – along with it community spirit and the culture of English life.'
The proposed law will mean staff and volunteers at venues with a capacity of more than 100 will have to undergo training about what to do in the event of an attack.
They will be taught how to warn attendees of a threat, lock down and evacuate premises, use fire safety equipment, call emergency services and alert neighbours.
Venues with a capacity between 100 and 799 will need to make sure there is a 'baseline protection' for customers.
The legislation was announced in response to criticism that staff at the Manchester Arena were ill-prepared in 2017 to identify risks and handle the attack, which killed 22 people
The legislation
