What is Protect Duty?
What is Protect Duty?
This is the Government’s response to the Protect Duty public consultation.
The United Kingdom has suffered a number of recent low-sophistication terror attacks at public spaces, in addition to the devastation of larger-scale atrocities such as that at the Manchester Arena. The targeting of such locations is usually an individual choice which cannot always be anticipated. Attacks could potentially occur at any location, and preventing them can prove challenging, highlighting the Government’s decision to consider what more could be done to improve public protection. The different methods of attack in the UK have recently involved the use of person-borne improvised explosive devices (IEDs), postal IEDs, vehicles as a weapon, bladed weapons and firearms.
It might surprise you that currently, there is no legislative requirement for organisations to consider or employ security measures in the vast majority of public places. Many organisations choose to implement their own security measures, ranging from the consideration of risk assessments leading to a range of emergency plans and procedures being in place, undertaking staff training and awareness raising, and employing security systems, processes and measures to mitigate threats. Whilst all such efforts are welcome and encouraged, the proposed Protect Duty would aim to create a culture of security, with a consistency of application and a greater certainty of effect.
Examples are Local Resilience Forums, Community Safety Partnerships, and Community Security Zones, plus greater engagement and collaboration with those participating, in particular by the Police. The inclusion of counter-terrorism simulated exercises and an increase in general funding for your security staff.
When will Protect Duty become law?
The government are on track to make Protect Duty law in December 2022 and will apply to large organisations. Those are defined as employing over 250 people.
Protect Duty requirements what is a public spaces
Any place to which the public or any section of the public has access, on payment or otherwise, as of right or by virtue of express or implied permission. Publicly accessible locations include a wide variety of everyday locations such as sports stadiums; festivals and music venues; hotels; pubs; clubs; bars and casinos; high streets; retail stores; shopping centres and markets; schools and universities; medical centres and hospitals; places of worship; Government offices; job centres; transport hubs; parks; beaches; public squares and other open spaces. This list is not exhaustive.
Protect Duty review
This is likely to be achieved through developing an inspectorate regime and appropriate sanctions for non-compliance. An effective inspectorate would be a key component to oversee the effectiveness of the Duty in further improving public security, providing appropriate advice and education, and, where required, taking appropriate sanctions. Thus the inspectorate would be able to identify key areas for improvement or vulnerabilities, act as a means of sharing best practice, and deliver a key objective of the Duty - to improve public safety.
