A campaigner for Martyn’s Law has defended the proposed counterterrorism legislation, arguing that it could improve safety at larger public venues and is proportionate in its reach and requirements. Nathan Emmerich, lead of the Martyn’s Law campaign, responded to recent criticism questioning the necessity of anti-terror plans for village halls and similar community spaces.

Emmerich cited the 2017 Manchester Arena attack as a key example of gaps in counterterrorism preparedness. The inquiry into that attack revealed failings not only in intelligence but also in operational readiness. Salman Abedi, the attacker, waited in a CCTV blind spot that had existed for years, and despite concerns raised about him, insufficient training and protocols meant those warnings were overlooked. These failures contributed to the tragedy, which resulted in 22 fatalities and hundreds of injuries.

Sir John Saunders, who chaired the inquiry and subsequently recommended Martyn’s Law, asserted that the legislation could have saved lives if it had been in place at the time of the attack. Emmerich emphasized that while it is impossible to know for certain if the law would have prevented the death of Martyn Hett, a victim of the Manchester bombing, the law aims to improve preparedness and reduce risks.

Martyn’s Law has undergone seven years of cross-party scrutiny and adjustments. It targets venues that regularly expect at least 200 people, excluding smaller village halls and community spaces considered unlikely targets. For venues within scope, the law requires the adoption of practical procedures for lockdown, evacuation, invacuation, and communication—similar to existing fire safety planning mandates.

The law is scheduled to come into effect in spring 2027. Emmerich dismissed recent claims that it is responsible for event cancellations or undue financial burdens on community groups, stating that some organizers may be misinterpreting its requirements or incurring unnecessary expenses. He noted that compliance costs are expected to be in the range of a few hundred pounds per venue.

While the risks of terrorism remain low for most community venues, Emmerich stressed that the uncertainty means precautions are necessary. “Nobody at the Manchester Arena on May 22, 2017, expected a terrorist attack,” he said. He highlighted that while prevention plans may never need to be activated, the absence of such measures can have devastating consequences, as demonstrated by the Manchester tragedy.