Draft Protect Duty
Bill
The purpose of the draft Bill is to:
● Keep people safe by introducing new security requirements for
certain public locations and venues to ensure preparedness for
and protection from terrorist attacks.
The main benefits of the draft Bill would be:
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● Enhancing national security and reducing the risk to
the public from terrorism by improving protective security
practices in public places.
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● Providing clarity on protective security and
preparedness responsibilities for organisations in scope of
the Duty.
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● Expanding the support available to help those
responsible for delivering security in public places.
The main elements of the draft Bill are:
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● Establishing a new requirements framework which
requires those in control of certain public locations and
venues to consider the threat from terrorism and implement
appropriate and proportionate mitigation measures.
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● Delivering an inspection and enforcement regime,
which will seek to educate, advise, and ensure compliance
with the Duty.
Territorial extent and application
● The draft Bill will extend and apply across the UK.
Key facts
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● Following the appalling terrorist attack at the
Manchester Arena and lessons learnt, in particular those from
the Inquiry’s Security Chapter, the Government has worked
closely with partners and victims’ groups, including
Survivors Against Terror and Figen Murray and the Martyn’s
Law Campaign Team, to develop these proposals for a new
Protect Duty.
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● Independent research conducted in 2019 showed that
without legal compulsion, counter terrorism security efforts
are often prioritised behind legally required activities. The
consideration and application of security processes and
measures is inconsistent as a result.
● Seven in ten respondents to the Protect Duty consultation
agreed that those responsible for publicly accessible locations
should take appropriate and proportionate measures to protect the
public from attacks.
