Anti-terrorism and CCTV

Parish and town councils in England, while not directly responsible for national security, can play a supportive and crucial role in counter-terrorism efforts at the local level. With increasing focus on community safety, especially following high-profile terrorist attacks, there are specific ways in which parish and town councils can contribute to anti-terrorism measures, particularly through the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill and the use of CCTV and other preventative initiatives.

The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill

Otherwise known as Martyn’s Law (named after Martyn Hett, who was tragically killed in the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing), it is a key development that parish and town councils must now consider. The law, expected to come into effect soon, introduces a legal obligation for public venues to take preventive measures against terrorism. Although primarily targeted at larger venues, parish and town councils may have responsibilities if they manage or oversee public spaces or events. Parish and town councils are essential and active in counter-terrorism efforts within their local communities. Here are some measures they can take:

Risk assessments for public spaces and events — Parish and town councils that manage community centres, village halls, or organise public events must ensure that these locations meet the standards set by Martyn’s Law. This includes conducting terrorism risk assessments and implementing proportionate security measures such as evacuation planning, training staff or volunteers to recognise and respond to terrorist threats, and installing physical barriers or screening measures at entrances and exits to public events.
Compliance with Martyn’s Law — Even though smaller venues may only need to implement basic measures, parish and town councils need to ensure they know their legal obligations under the law. For more significant events (e.g. festivals or fairs), parish and town councils must work with police or security experts to ensure compliance with the required level of preparedness.
Working with local businesses — Parish and town councils can encourage local businesses and organisations to comply with Martyn’s Law, ensuring that venues such as pubs, shopping areas, or tourist attractions meet the necessary security requirements.

CCTV

While parish and town councils do not have direct enforcement roles in counter-terrorism, they can contribute by using CCTV systems as part of community safety and anti-terrorism strategies. The Surveillance Camera Code of Practice guides local authorities to ensure lawful and effective CCTV usage. For counter-terrorism purposes, parish and town councils can:

Strategically position CCTV—Parish and town councils can install CCTV in critical public areas such as transport hubs, shopping districts, parks, and community centres—places that might be targeted in a terrorist attack. If suspicious activity is observed, the footage can be shared with local police and security agencies.
Upgrade systems for greater security — Parish and town councils should consider upgrading CCTV systems to include features such as high-definition cameras, automatic number plate recognition (ANPR), and remote monitoring. This ensures that footage can be used effectively in anti-terrorism operations for real-time tracking and post-incident investigation.
Collaboration with principal authorities: Parish and town councils can partner with principal authorities to integrate their CCTV systems into wider networks. This can be part of a broader effort to create safer public environments in line with counter-terrorism strategies.

Other initiatives

Prevent Duty — Parish and town councils can actively support Prevent Duty, part of the UK’s Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015, which seeks to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism.
Raising public awareness — Parish and town councils can distribute information and train residents and local businesses to recognise signs of radicalisation or suspicious behaviour. This could include promoting the Action Counters Terrorism campaign and encouraging the public to report potential threats.
Facilitate the sharing of local intelligence — Parish and town councils can act as a communication bridge between the community and police, ensuring that any suspicious activities or concerns are quickly passed on to the relevant authorities.
Participate in local counter-terrorism initiatives — Parish and town councils can work with local police on counter-terrorism awareness programs which aim to educate businesses and public organisations about terrorism-related risks and how to respond.

Useful links