Responding to the Government’s announcement that it will launch a consultation for legal duties to protect public spaces from terror attacks, Cllr Simon Blackburn, Chair of the LGA’s Safer and Stronger Communities Board, said:
“Councils are determined to keep their communities safe and already take advice from the Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure on how to best protect their public spaces.
“A proportionate and reasonable public duty could assist councils in working with owners and operators of public spaces and venues to reduce the threat from terrorism.
“However, consideration needs to be given to what licensing and planning powers councils might need to be able to drive improvements in the way public space is designed and operated to make it safer.
“Councils stand ready to work with the Government to make public spaces safer. Faced with ongoing funding and demand pressures, they will need adequate resources to meet any new responsibilities.”
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