How Martyn's Law and Mass Notification Technology Can Enhance Venue Security

The safety and security of visitors is fundamental for any entertainment venue. With the increasing risk of public incidents and concerns by the public about safety, venues must implement strategies to ensure anyone attending a game, concert, or show feels secure and protected in their spaces.

In December, the UK government announced the Protect Duty, now named 'Martyn's Law,' in honour of Martyn Hett, a victim of the tragic Manchester Arena terrorist attack in 2017. This law aims to enhance national security and reduce the risk of terrorism by protecting public venues. One critical aspect of Martyn's Law is the requirement for venues to implement appropriate security measures.

In this blog, we'll explore the critical provisions of Martyn's Law and discuss how mass notification technology can support entertainment venues in complying with its requirements to create safer entertainment experiences for everyone involved — from customers, staff members, vendors, promoters — all who frequent live events.

Understanding Martyn's Law

Martyn's Law focuses on improving security and preparedness in various locations, including entertainment venues, retail stores, museums, sports grounds, and more. It imposes a duty on owners and operators to assess the threat from terrorism and implement proportionate security measures. The law classifies venues into two tiers based on their capacity:

• Standard Tier: Applies to venues with a maximum capacity of over 100, such as larger retail stores and restaurants.
• Enhanced Tier: Imposes additional requirements on high-capacity locations with over 800 people, including live music venues, theatres, and department stores.

Implications for Entertainment Venues

Entertainment venues, like theatres and live music venues, fall into the enhanced tier, requiring them to conduct a risk assessment and develop a security plan to a 'reasonably practicable' standard. This involves evaluating the balance between risk reduction and the resources needed for security preparedness.

Additionally, places of worship, often run by volunteers, are placed in the standard tier. This recognizes their existing efforts to mitigate security risks, and the duty focuses on further enhancing their preparedness.

Venues should prepare for changes to security systems, staff training, and processes, which may not always be visible to the public but are crucial for ensuring safety. The duty emphasizes that security measures should not compromise accessibility.

Supporting Martyn's Law with Mass Notification Technology

Mass notification technology can play a significant role in helping entertainment venues meet the requirements of Martyn's Law. Here's how:

1. Emergency Alerts

Mass notification systems can quickly disseminate emergency alerts to staff and visitors in case of a security threat, ensuring everyone knows how to respond. This can be the key to minimizing harm and preventing tragedy.

2. Evacuation Instructions

Every second counts when a security incident occurs. That makes evacuation instructions essential to be clear and concise, guiding people to safety as quickly and efficiently as possible. Mass Notification systems can play an invaluable role in this process. These systems can effectively communicate critical information to large groups of people at once, alerting them to the situation and providing clear instructions on where to go and what to do.

3. Real-time Updates

Mass notification technology allows venues to provide real-time updates on the situation, ensuring that staff and visitors are well-informed throughout the incident and continue to know what to do and where to go.

4. Training and Drills

Use mass notification systems to conduct regular security drills and training sessions so that staff are well-prepared to handle emergencies and know what to expect and how best to leverage the technology; the more familiar and comfortable they are with it, the quicker their responses will be in an actual situation.

5. Communication with Authorities

With mass notification systems in place, it is possible to quickly and efficiently alert local authorities, law enforcement, or other parties necessary to coordinate a response during security incidents. The result is a coordinated effort that can help mitigate damage and save lives.

Martyn's Law is a significant step toward enhancing security at public venues, including entertainment venues. As it gains momentum in the demand for improved security at public venues, mass notification technology emerges as a critical tool for compliance.

With the safety of staff and visitors at stake, there's no room for hesitation in implementing efficient communication strategies, training, and response coordination. By embracing the power of mass notification technology, entertainment venues can enhance their security measures and take proactive steps toward protecting those who enter their doors.