She says : “ The biggest thing that jumped out and caused alarm with me was that only 50 % said they had counter terrorism measures in place . That figure told me how important education is .
“ The other thing that concerns me is the language the government is using – words like recommendation or optional – that worries me .
“ It has to be legislation that people have to adhere to . It can ’ t be a half-way house . There was also some resistance in terms of penalties . If you breach GDPR companies are fined thousands of pounds , health and safety too – if someone is killed or seriously injured in your premises you can be fined a lot of money . Why should terrorism be any different ?
“ If people are taking adequate measures to keep staff and customers safe then it should not be treated any different .”
Murray , 60 , was a therapist before her son Maryn Hett was killed in the Manchester Arena attack .
Since then she has become an ardent campaigner . Last year she completed a masters degree in counter terrorism and was made OBE for her services to counter terrorism in the New Year ’ s Honours .
Talking about her degree , Murray says : “ I just had so many questions in my head about terrorism . It has answered all my questions and a lot more . The year after Martyn died I started going round schools , I kept thinking ‘ surely this must be an issue we created as a society ?’. By the end of the two-year masters I was correct . Now , I very strongly feel terrorism is societal issue and needs to be dealt with effectively as a society . Gone are the times we can say government , police or counter terrorism is at fault . We all as a society need to copolice ourselves .
“ I believe the more resilient a nation becomes and more tools we have as a nation the better we understand .”
There is currently no legal requirement for venues to implement counter terrorism measures – but the Protect Duty would make it the law for venues –
Figen Murray
“ The other thing that concerns me is the language the government is using – words like recommendation or optional – that worries me ”
most likely with capacities of more than 100- to comply .
The results of the consultation , published in January , found that half of respondents were favour of an inspectorate but highlighted concerns about ensuring measure were proportionate and two thirds disagreed with the government ’ s estimates of costs .
In addition , 55 % said they currently access government counter-terrorism advice and only 50 % currently carry out terrorism risk assessments .
Minister for Security and Borders Damian Hinds MP said : “ It is right that those responsible for public places should take measures to protect the public and to prepare their staff . However , the responses also highlighted the challenge of which organisations should be in the scope , and what would constitute proportionate security measures .”
Murray says that a legal responsibility is essential to make all venues safe .
“ If people are liable and punishable at boardroom level then it will be taken
more seriously ,” she says .
“ It has to go right across the board , police do their bit and keep up to date , same applies government , MI5 and the security industry as a whole . The whole sector needs a rethink . The SIA really need to update training and constantly update training . You can ’ t start a training course and never update it . Everybody across the board needs to work together – an information sharing platform will be crucial .
“ That includes the general public , because the general public are naïve to terrorism . I used to go to big events and security was never in my thoughts .
“ You see cameras and you assume someone ’ s watching but that might not be case . Or they may not be properly trained . You see people in high-vis jackets and assume they ’ re security but they might be stewards .
“ I didn ’ t expect that absolutely every single person was going to agree , but cost implications always seem to get in the way . There are a lot of things that can make a difference that don ’ t cost much , having a plan in place , looking at what details of events you publish on your website , knowing where there ’ s a back door . Things like the Action Counter Terrorism ( ACT ) e-learning are only an hour .”
Reflecting on her honour , Murray is humble . She says : “ It is bitter sweet . I don ’ t do it because I want to be recognised . I do it because I feel I fear for future generations and I want to set it right . I feel so passionate about talking to young people about the dangers of radicalisation .”
So far Murray has spoken to more than 14,000 children – but she says she hopes to speak personally to 100,00 this year . It sounds a bold target but given the determinationshe has shown so far , one she ’ ll no doubt achieve .
“ I don ’ t believe a terrorist is born . Something happens to them ,” she concludes .
“ If I just reach one person then for me that is a success . It only takes one person to put a suicide vest on and destroy lives . Our lives were destroyed .” EN
March — 33