Consider this:

  • Situation

    There is NO National standard for the management of ‘events’. [Event being a planned gathering with respect to time and a place where an experience is created and/or a message is communicated]

    There is NO requirement for a qualified ‘Accountable Person’ to manage the event.

    To correct this - the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill (also referred to as the Protect Duty) was included in the King’s Speech 17 July 2024, with an implementation date expected sometime in 2025.

    The Bill will likely set up a tiering based on capacity – the standard tier being for capacities between 200 and 799 individuals:

    This tier will embrace many retail stores, bars, restaurants, theatres, village halls and churches and may include community projects and events.

    It is also likely to embrace any ‘green field’ site or temporary ‘licenced’ premises – and any publicly accessible location (PAL).

    An Enhanced tier for capacities more than 800 will affect:

    Larger theatres and multiplex cinemas, concerts

    Sports venues including road races and even fun runs.

  • Terrorism isn't the only risk

    The risk profile for Publicly Accessible Spaces, Premises and Events is already multifaceted and subject to rapid change.

    Organisers are required to consider a wide range of foreseeable risks and implement robust procedures and mitigations as part of an effective management plan including:

    •Health and Safety, Food hygiene, drugs and alcohol, adverse weather forecasting, flooding etc…

    •Effective Command, Control and Communications (C3)

    •Emergency services cover extending beyond third party contractors (First Aid, Fire etc)

    •‘Last mile’ environmental and infrastructure factors typically in collaboration with multiple stakeholders including:

    ~Business As Usual (BAU) plan

    ~Readiness

    ~Contingency and Resilience plans

    •Beyond ‘last mile’ factors (likely outside of the control of organisers and stakeholders)

    •Control of the airspace above events (inc use of drones)

    •Documentation and file sharing:

    •Provide secure digital access to compliance documentation including the Site Safety File, Event Management Plans and site plans.

  • What is the requirement?

    Currently:

    Compliance documentation currently includes:

    Site Safety File including Risk Assessments, Method Statements, Training records, Insurance documentation

    Event Management Plan and / or Event Safety Plan

    Plus ~ Best practice measures:

    Preparedness and Readiness planning (Business Continuity)

    Tabletop exercises and training sessions for organisers and operatives

    •

    It is expected that the Protect Duty will require the following as a minimum:

    Terrorism Security Plan

    Terrorism Risk Assessments

    Venue plans – Design and Access – Dot plans

    Readiness Plan

    Terrorism Training records

    Named ‘Accountable Individual’ (competent & responsible person)

    •

    Insurers may require:

    Public Liability Insurance to include specific Terrorism cover

    Directors and Officers indemnity to cover responsible persons

Questions to ask