Protect Duty Exeter: What It Means For Local Businesses

2 March 2022 Security Guards, Commercial, Facilities Management

The government consultation findings on Protect Duty legislation have now been published. Local businesses now find themselves in a position where they need to know what Protect Duty in Exeter, Devon and across the UK means for their operations, or they may find themselves at risk.

What Does Legislation For Protect Duty In Exeter Mean?

Terror threats have been steadily increasing in both frequency and severity all over the UK over the past few years, and it is no surprise that many individuals and businesses feel that measures must be taken to address this threat to public safety.

The introduction of Protect Duty legislation in Exeter would mean that businesses bear important responsibilities for the safety of visitors at their venues. For owners and operators of Exeter public venues and large organisations, these proposed responsibilities would include:

• The need to use available government and police information & guidance to consider possible terrorist threats to the public and their staff at venues.
• Use government and police systems and processes to assess the impacts these potential risks could have across their functions and estate.
• Both consider and then action ‘reasonably practicable’ protective security and organisational preparedness measures. These could include developing strategies that ensure the site and usage has been assessed, mitigation measures are in place to protect staff, as well as staff training & plans on how to respond to the occurrence of an attack.
• Design robust plans on how to handle or deal with the results of terrorist attacks.

However, this does not mean that smaller businesses in Exeter would be exempt from Protect Duty. Everyone must do their part in the interest of public safety. The compliance requirements for small businesses include:

• Staff to be fully trained and aware of potential threats, likely attacks, and how they should respond.
• Staff are trained to be able to identify the signs of hostile reconnaissance and how to take appropriate action in response.
• The security response of the business/organisation is continually updated and exercised regularly.

Enacted properly, these measures imposed on businesses in Exeter by protect duty legislation should significantly reduce the danger of terrorist attacks to both the public and to staff members.

In What Areas Would Protect Duty In Exeter Apply?

Currently, the proposed Protect Duty legislation would apply to three main areas in Exeter. These are:

• Public Venues – These include entertainment and sporting venues such as Exeter City Football and Exeter Chiefs, tourist attractions, and shopping centres with a capacity of 100 people or more, such as Princesshay or the Guildhall .
• Large Organisations – These include entertainment or retail chains that employ 250 or more staff members that operate at publicly accessible locations.
• Public Spaces – These include beaches, thoroughfares, public parks, town/city squares, bridges and pedestrian areas, and also applies to event organisers using these locations as well.

As should be apparent, a large number of businesses organisations would be subject to Protect Duty in Exeter. Therefore, you need to be prepared should this legislation be introduced.

How W4G Fire & Security Can Help You Prepare For Protect Duty In Exeter

At W4G Fire & Security, our staff and protect consultants have specialised knowledge of a broad range of security areas and can assess all the needs your large or small business requires to comply with Exeter Protect Duty. With a base in Devon, we have a full understanding of the area..

All of our protect consultants are certified security and risk management specialists who have extensive experience as former special forces operators and counter-terrorism specialists. Fully educated and up-to-date on protect duty legislation, they can help protect your business, customers and staff members from terrorist attacks.

If you are an owner of a commercial business, a facilities management operator, or work in another affected area and have questions about protect duty Exeter legislation, or you would like to consult with our specialists, please contact us at hello@w4g-security.com or by phone at 020 800 43 800.