Churches’ Legislation Advisory Service

PROPERTY & PLANNING

Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill: update
For information and possibly for action
As mentioned in our last circular, the draft Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill (aka “Martyn’s Law”) will impose requirements in relation to certain premises and events to increase their preparedness for, and protection from, a terrorist attack by requiring them to take proportionate steps to deal with any terrorist threat, depending on the size and nature of the activities that take place at the premises. Almost all the provisions of the Bill, once enacted, will apply to the whole of the UK. The detailed requirements will be set out in Regulations under the legislation: at the current rate of progress, we would expect to see them at some point in 2025. Almost all places of worship will be in the “standard tier”, irrespective of capacity.
The ProtectUK website has a helpful explainer on the current state of play, here. In addition, the Archdeacon of London, Fr Luke Miller, has posted a helpful summary of the current proposals (though they are still subject to change) and an explanation of why it is important for those responsible for places of worship to respond, here.
Also as mentioned in our last circular, we are currently preparing a response on behalf of CLAS, and it would be helpful to see any individual responses from members.
[Source: CLAS, 19 February]