Council to install new gates to help protect venue

The gates are to be erected as part of Martyn's Law, which requires venues to have a plan in place in case of an attack on their premises.

A local council says it is in the process of installing two new gates on the entrances to a town park, to comply with a newly-enacted anti-terrorism law.

Trowbridge Town Park has been identified as a site that meets the criteria for the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill, also known as Martyn's Law.

The legislation is named after Martyn Hett, who was among 22 people killed in the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing in May 2017.

Council leader Ian Thorn said "We have been preparing for the new legislation known as Martyn's Law and have been reviewing how we will ensure that we are prepared to meet the future legal requirements."

Local councillor Mel Jacob says that the cost of the new gates will fall on local ratepayers

Martyn's Law, requires venues with a capacity of 200 or more to have a plan in place in case of an attack on their premises.

The Home Office said that "through the Act, qualifying premises and events should be better prepared and protected, ready to respond in the event of a terrorist attack."

Local Councillor Mel Jacob said that with the park regularly used for music and other events, the town council had to respond to the new legislation.

"We're all aware of those various incidents where vehicles have driven into people. We haven't had an incident of that type. We're just making sure we don't have one."

The new gates will cost £3,000, a burden that will fall on local ratepayers.

"We didn't have a Martin's law pot of money. It's the same with any health and safety legislation. You've got to make sure you're compliant and obviously making sure people are safe is a key responsibility," Ms Jacob added.