Important Statement to attendees for Amity Yoga for Women – Thursday mornings 9:30 am – 10.30 am. The venue Rainhill Hall has issued security advice for all group users. We must follow these rules strictly. Please read the statement below and follow the guidelines when attending classes. Please contact Wendy if you have any questions wendy@amityyogawellness.co.uk
RE. RAINHILL VILLAGE HALL SECURITY: FAO ALL GROUP ORGANISERS
These requirements of all Hall users emanates from incidents at the Hall and Government directives.
- While groups were using the building, youths entered the Hall foyer and broke the fire alarm glass. Hall users evacuated the building. On checking the CCTV recording, the perpetrators were identified and the police became involved
- A second incident involved two youths who interrupted a group using the Oak Room and went on to vandalise both kitchens
This led to a more positive approach to security, with the front doors remaining locked while groups, visitors and staff were using the building.
Latterly, the two major incidents in Manchester and Southport involving the public, has raised awareness to an even higher level. The shocking occurrences at the Manchester Arena and the Southport dance studio have led to government legislation being imposed and local authorities are responsible for ensuring that venues provide a safe environment where members of the public, of all ages, gather.
ST HELENS OVERVIEW
Martyn’s Law, officially known as the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, is a new UK law that requires publicly accessible venues to be better prepared for terrorist attacks. While the law does not have specific implications for St Helens yet, it applies to venues across the country and will affect places like town halls, community centres, and public events throughout the UK, including those in the St Helens area. The law is expected to be implemented over the next 24 months (from April 2025), with specific requirements to be detailed in official guidance from the Home Office.
- What it is: Martyn’s Law, named in honour of Martyn Hett, requires certain premises and events to improve their security and preparedness for terrorist incidents.
- Who it affects: The law applies to a wide range of publicly accessible locations, including entertainment venues, places of worship, retail spaces, community centres, and educational settings.
- How it works: It establishes a tiered system where the requirements for venues are based on their capacity and the nature of their activities.
- Standard Duty: Applies to premises with a capacity of 200-799 people, requiring basic risk assessments and simple protective measures.
- Enhanced Duty: Applies to larger venues (800+ capacity) with more stringent requirements for security planning and preparedness.
- Timeline: The Act received Royal Assent in April 2025, but there is an implementation period of at least 24 months before full compliance is required.
- What to do now: Venue operators should monitor for official guidance from the Home Office, which is expected to be published during the implementation period. For local guidance and resources, venues in St Helens can refer to the St Helens Borough Council’s event organizing information.
Rainhill Village Hall Management Committee will adopt the principles of Martyn’s Law and any preparations required for full implementation.
The main doors of the Hall will be locked unless group members are arriving or leaving (if deliveries are being made, there are tradespeople are on the premise, etc, suitable arrangements will be made). Organisers or those acting on their behalf, are responsible for manning the front door until their group members arrive or have left the building at the end of the session. Under no circumstances should any Hall user (including organisers) allow access to members of other groups or unknown individuals.
It is understood that issues around Hall ingress and egress are an absolute priority for everyone using the building. All users have a responsibility for their own safety and for the safety of other users.
No one other than those involved in group sessions should enter the building. Group leaders/organisers, or a ‘deputy’, should be in the foyer from the time that group members arrive. This should be no more than 10 minutes before the start of the session. If visitors arrive during office hours, they should contact the office via the intercom.
At the end of the session, group leaders/organisers or their deputy should be in the foyer to ensure that the exit door (push pad door to the left) is not left wide open when group members leave the building.
These procedures cannot be arbitrary as leaving the front door open for just a few seconds is all that is required for a perpetrator to access the building.
On too many occasions, these procedures have been ignored and the main door has been left unlocked or the push pad door left wide open while the foyer is unattended. Recently, two members of the public were allowed into the building while members of a group were coming into the Hall. These individuals were not known to the person on the door or to any of the users attending that session.
The aim of the Management Group is to close the gaps on what has been described above. Where there are difficulties in conforming to what is necessary to ensure the safety of those using the Hall, group leaders/organisers should contact the office to arrange to discuss any problems with the Hall Executive Members and the Office Manager. Failure to comply will incur a financial penalty to cover the cost of providing staff to unlock, lock and man the foyer through an outside security service. The Hall management can provide this additional security, but the cost will be passed on to those using the Hall in way of an increase in room hire charges.
Again, we would emphasise that the measures in place are to protect those using the Hall and having control over those entering and leaving the building is essential.
Larger gatherings, for example, theatre performances and some ‘occasional’ bookings, will require additional measures to be in place. Guidance will be made available through the local authority before there is full implementation of Martyn’s Law. The Hall’s intention is to be proactive and to share information as it is provided by the LA.
THE ABOVE CANNOT BE IGNORED. THIS INFORMATION MUST BE SHARED WITH ALL GROUP MEMBERS