Over 80 Delegates Attend SALC Conference to Prepare for Martyn’s Law
More than 80 delegates from across the country gathered at Shrewsbury Town Football Club on Tuesday 2 June for a major conference aimed at helping councils, community organisations and event organisers prepare for the introduction of Martyn’s Law.
Hosted by the Shropshire Association of Local Councils (SALC), the full-day event brought together parish and town councils, village hall managers, Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), charity trustees and business owners to explore the practical implications of the new legislation and how organisations can enhance public safety at events and in public spaces.
Martyn’s Law, formally known as the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act, was developed following the Manchester Arena terrorist attack in 2017, in which 22 people lost their lives, including Martyn Hett. The legislation places a legal duty on those responsible for certain public venues and events to consider the threat of terrorism and implement proportionate measures to protect the public.
The conference opened with remarks from SALC Chief Officer Chris Mellings and campaigner Figen Murray OBE, whose tireless work following the loss of her son Martyn has been instrumental in bringing the legislation forward.
Throughout the day, delegates heard from a range of expert speakers, including Helen Ball, Town Clerk of Shrewsbury Town Council, who provided a detailed overview of the legislation, its scope and requirements, and how councils and event organisers can begin preparing for compliance.
Kevin Roberts of SL Consultants delivered an in-depth session on risk and vulnerability assessments, helping delegates understand how to identify threats, assess existing controls, recognise vulnerabilities and develop proportionate mitigation measures. Practical workshops later in the day allowed attendees to apply their learning to real-world scenarios and explore how Martyn’s Law can be implemented effectively within their own organisations.
The conference also heard from representatives of the Security Industry Authority, the regulator responsible for overseeing the legislation, and from Rachel Robinson, Director of Public Health and Chair of Shropshire’s Protect and Prepare Board, who outlined the role of local authorities in building community resilience and protecting the public.
Shrewsbury Town Council shared its own experience of enhancing event security, including its investment last year in Vehicle Mitigation Barriers to improve safety at major events held in The Quarry, one of the county’s most significant outdoor event spaces.
Chris Mellings, Chief Officer of SALC, said:
"The introduction of Martyn’s Law represents one of the most significant changes to public event safety in a generation. Our aim was to bring together organisations of all sizes and provide practical guidance that will help them understand their responsibilities and take proportionate steps to protect the communities they serve. The excellent attendance from across the country demonstrates the importance of this issue and the commitment of local councils and community organisations to creating safer public spaces."
Helen Ball, Town Clerk of Shrewsbury Town Council, said:
"Martyn’s Law is about creating a culture of preparedness and ensuring that organisations responsible for public spaces and events are thinking carefully about how they can reduce risk and keep people safe. While every venue and event will be different, there are practical and achievable measures that can be put in place. It was encouraging to see so many delegates engaging with the sessions and sharing experiences as we work collectively towards safer communities."
The event formed part of SALC’s ongoing programme of support and training for local councils and community organisations across Shropshire and beyond, helping them prepare for the implementation of the new legislation and strengthen public safety measures within their communities.
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