Terrorism-related arrests in the UK hit five-year high

May 2025 will mark the eighth anniversary of The Manchester Arena terror attack, which saw a suicide bomber target attendees at an Ariana Grande concert, resulting in the loss of 22 innocent lives and causing injury to hundreds more.

As the Bill moves towards royal assent, marking the latest step on its journey to becoming law, we’re taking a closer look at the UK’s efforts to tackle terrorism and the role that security teams play within that.

How big is the threat of terrorism?

The events of that day in Manchester remain a tragic reminder of the persistent and ever-evolving threat that terrorism poses to the UK.

The latest figures released by the Home Office show that in 2024 the number of terrorism-related arrests in the UK hit a five-year high. 248 arrests were made - the highest number since 2019 – with three late-stage attacks averted by our country’s brilliant security services. In fact, according to the Global Terrorism Information Network, Counter Terrorism Policing and MI5 have together disrupted 43 late-stage attacks from taking place since March 2017.

At Venture Security, we plan and manage security for a diverse range of events, venues, visitor attractions, historic sites, and town and city centres, making this a topic that is always front and centre.

Commenting on the statistics, Paul Howe, MD, Venture Security, said: “What the Home Office figures highlight is the very real danger we all face from terrorism. It’s the primary reason why it’s so important that events, visitor attractions and other publicly accessible locations, such as busy city centres, are overseen by professional, high quality and vetted security officers and stewards. Individuals who are trained to spot and manage these types of threats and risks.

“Security teams are a vital first line of defence, which is why we continue to be amazed by the number of reports about unscrupulous private security companies using unlicenced, unvetted and often underpaid guards - something which is not only illegal but increases the risk exponentially.

“Those who are responsible for security must call on reputable and experienced providers to keep people safe. Choosing an SIA approved contractor is a good place to start.”

Security teams, (SIA) training and counter-terrorism

Training, awareness and collaboration sit at the heart of the UK’s counter-terror efforts.

The SIA (Security Industry Authority) licence requires security operatives to be trained to handle various aspects of counter-terrorism, including:

• Recognising suspicious behaviours and activities that may indicate a potential terrorist threat, such as an unusual interest in security measures and unattended items.
• Understanding how to respond to emergency situations, including bomb threats and other security incidents.

Here at Venture, it is mandatory for all our full and part time staff to complete ACT training annually - award-winning counter terrorism training provided for security professionals by the National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO).

This training is designed to help security teams prepare for and respond to terrorist incidents. Completing it regularly supports our team to keep up to date on best practice, while helping increase their counter terrorism and security awareness.

We also provide regular counter-terrorism related updates to our staff through briefings, newsletters, bulletins and toolbox talks to ensure they are completely up to date. We feel it is important for all our officers and unlicensed staff members to complete the training, no matter where they may be assigned.

Government counter-terror initiatives

At a national level, the UK government has implemented several initiatives to try and tackle terrorism, focusing on the key areas of prevention, protection and response. This includes:

• CONTEST: This is the UK's overarching counter-terrorism strategy, which is structured around four pillars - Prevent, Pursue, Protect and Prepare. In 2023 the strategy was updated to address evolving threats, including online radicalisation and the exploitation of technology.
• Prevent: This programme is aimed at stopping individuals from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism. It focuses on early intervention and community engagement.
• Youth Diversion Orders: Announced in 2024, these orders are designed to manage cases involving young people at risk of radicalisation, offering rehabilitative conditions and early intervention.
• Counter Terrorism Operations Centre (CTOC): Operational since 2023, the centre aims to integrate teams, data and technology to efficiently identify, investigate and disrupt terrorist activities.
• Martyn's Law: This proposed legislation requires certain security measure to be in place for public venues to prepare for and mitigate the impact of terrorist attacks.

Martyn's Law

Martyn's Law, officially known as the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill, is named after Martyn Hett, a victim of the Manchester Arena attack, and its introduction is being driven by his family, who have worked tirelessly to make public accessible locations safer for all.

The legislation aims to enhance public safety by requiring venues to implement measures to prepare for and mitigate the impact of terrorist attacks, with the Manchester Arena attack highlighting gaps in security and preparedness at public venues.

It represents a significant step forward in ensuring that public spaces are better prepared to respond to potential threats.

• Standard Tier: Smaller venues with a capacity of 200-799 will be required to carry out simple, low-cost measures, such as staff training and evacuation planning.

• Enhanced Tier: Larger venues hosting 800 or more people will need to implement more comprehensive security measures, including monitoring and compliance documentation.

The Bill is currently moving forwards towards royal assent. Once the King signs it into law, there will then be a two-year implementation period for venues to comply with the new requirements.

As an experienced provider of public safety and security advisory services, with established links to policing, at Venture, we are in a strong position to advise venues on effective measures, such as Martyn’s Law, as and when they come into force. For now, we recommend that events organisers are mindful of those already offering paid-for advice on this subject, as it has not yet been finalised and will likely be subject to change in the coming years.

Tackling terrorism – a collaborative approach

Something that sits at the heart of tackling terrorism is collaboration.

Through its counter-terrorism strategy, CONTEST, the government highlights the importance of partnerships between the police and law enforcement, intelligence agencies, local authorities, businesses, and the public. The Prevent programme focuses on working with communities to identify and support individuals at risk of radicalisation, while Martyn's Law encourages venues and businesses to collaborate with authorities to implement security measures and share intelligence.

Encouraging the public to report suspicious activity, including through channels like the Anti-Terrorist Hotline, has been successful. In the past year alone, the public made nearly 22,000 reports to the Anti-Terrorist Hotline and its online platform, gov.uk/ACT. Of these, one in five pieces of information received has helped with investigations.

The UK also collaborates closely with global partners through organisations, such as the UN and the Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism (GIFCT), to address cross-border threats and tackle online extremism.

In summary

The rising threat of terrorism demands a collective response. We all have a part to play in this fight, from the government to businesses, communities and individuals. Implementing Martyn's Law and strengthening counter-terrorism strategies, are both steps in the right directions.

At Venture Security, we are committed to supporting these efforts, and to working collaboratively to create a safer society. To counter the threat, we urge events organisers and venue owners to invest in quality security delivered by an experience and reputable provider.