How Martyn’s Law is forcing universities to rethink campus safety

The legislation, named after Martyn Hett, one of the 22 victims of the 2017 Manchester Arena attack, requires venues with a capacity of more than 200 people to introduce formal emergency procedures and staff training. While venues hosting more than 800 people must implement enhanced security measures, such as dedicated security personnel and video surveillance.

With new laws coming into effect, higher education establishments will be required to have a proactive emergency plan in place, shifting the focus from reaction to preparedness. This calls for a shift in mindset and for organisations to assess and evaluate risks and set out specific procedures and plans for evacuation, invacuation, lockdown and communication.

There is an expected 24-month implementation period to prepare for Martyn’s Law and ensure compliance, and with that, it’s time to proactively think about the steps that need to be taken.

Adapting to new requirements

Often associated with large venues, the legislation applies equally to universities, which host thousands of students, staff and visitors each day.  Unlike large venues, where evacuation and crowd management are core security operations, universities are faced with adapting large, open and often complex campuses to meet the new requirements.

Intelligent Integration

While universities will have evacuation and emergency procedures in place, enhanced proactive security measures must now be put in place to ensure compliance.

The good news is that technology can do most of the hard work. Most buildings on campus will already have security infrastructure, such as video surveillance cameras, access control, and intruder detection in place. While these often operate independently, integrating them intelligently can transform existing infrastructure to support Martyn’s Law compliance by enhancing situational awareness, communication, and automating response capabilities in the case of a major threat or incident.

Digital Twins

Universities can also harness the power of a digital twin  – a digital replica of a building or campus – to enable real-time response, where a security team can lock doors or direct evacuations. This level of control is invaluable when responding to an active security threat, as managing a crisis more efficiently can save lives.

Clear Coordinated Information

Enhanced technology also supports proactive thinking about effective communication, rather than just detecting and reacting. There’s a notion that when faced with a security incident, people tend to panic, but often the opposite can be true – numerous studies suggest that when faced with an emergency, people will act calmly and rationally, actively looking for information. When security systems are intelligently integrated, they can deliver information in real-time – directing people to safety quickly and efficiently. In a crisis, clear and coordinated information can save lives.

Stay informed on Martyn’s Law Preparedness in Higher Education

Sign up for expert updates, best-practice guidance, and our upcoming webinar on preparing your institution for compliance with impending enforcement of Martyn’s Law.