EVENT organisers in Swindon have reassured people they are safe after a former national counter-terrorism boss claimed the government was not doing enough to keep venues secure.

Nick Aldworth said he was supporting new legislation, dubbed Martyn’s Law after Martyn Hett, a victim of the Manchester Arena attack, where 22 people died in May 2017.

Events and venues in Swindon have moved to tell visitors they have plans in place.

MFor, the festival at Lydiard Park on July 29, released a statement saying: “We take the safety and security of those at the event very seriously and are working with a highly-respected, professional security service and experienced crowd management company, Swindon BC.

“The team are fully versed in managing public safety at large-scale events and all necessary precautions will be taken.

“Swindon Borough Council and emergency services are closely involved in the planning of the event in line with all health and safety regulations.”

Management at the Wyvern Theatre reassured people the venue was safe: “We are constantly updating the major incident plan that we have in place and follow guidelines set out by HQ Theatres and the Society of London Theatres regarding any changes in safety and policy.”

HQ Theatre’s director of marketing and sales Chris McGuigan, said: “For obvious security reasons we don’t comment on the counter-terrorism measures in place at our venues, other to confirm that we have robust procedures in place.

“These have been developed in close liaison with the police, the security services and other sector-specific partners.”

Swindon Town Football Club and Better, the firm running the Oasis, which hosts events such as concerts and comedy shows, were approached for comment but had not responded by the time the Adver went to press.

Empire Cinemas was contacted and said: “We do not comment on anything with regards to our security procedures.”

The current terrorism threat level in the UK is set to severe, which means an attack is highly likely. This threat level has only recently been reduced from critical which was in place after the Manchester bombings in 2017.

Under current law, venues such as theatres, cinemas and concert halls do not have any legal obligation to put counter-terrorism security in place or to even plan what to do in the event of an attack.

The UK terror level has been consistently at severe or critical since 2006, with the level only being reduced to substantial in 2009, 2011 and 2012.

The threat level is decided by the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre which takes into account several factors including available including intelligence, terrorist capability and terrorist intentions.

Martyn’s Law would require all venues, including pubs, to prepare a dedicated security plan in the event of a terrorist attack.

A petition calling for obligatory checks at venues drew 23,000 signatures.

Now the Government has said it will consider legislation to compel protective security.