LGA responds to Protect Duty consultation findings

11 Jan 2022 10:26 AM

Cllr Nesil Caliskan, Chair of the Local Government Association’s Safer and Stronger Communities Board, responded to the Government’s Protect Duty consultation findings 

“Local authorities take threats from terrorism extremely seriously and, working alongside wider partners, work hard to keep their communities safe.

“Introducing a new Protect Duty will require significant resource and capacity to ensure that those within its scope are aware of their responsibilities and comply. This must be supported by full funding and time to allow for communication, preparation, guidance and training, and recruitment of specialised staff before implementation can begin. It is also vital that measures to increase security sit alongside continued investment in prevention programmes that stop people being drawn into terrorism.

“The new duty will also need to take a risk-based approach to introducing new measures, that does not allow terrorism to disrupt normal life and inhibit our freedoms to enjoy the places and spaces that are a critical and much-loved part of local communities.”

Government publishes Protect Duty consultation findings