10 Years of Protecting People & Businesses! Thank you for trusting Inverroy.

“Not If, But When”

Preparing Businesses for the Realities of Modern Terror Threats in King’s Cross

Setting The Scene:

It was a bright, busy summer afternoon in London’s King’s Cross, a location synonymous with movement, energy, and life. Commuters streamed from the station. Families browsed open-air markets. Office workers enjoyed communal spaces, soaking up the rare British sunshine.


Now imagine that calm shattered in an instant.

A vehicle mounts the pavement, accelerating into a crowd. Screams echo across the plaza. Before anyone can process what’s happening, the driver leaps out, wielding a knife and targets bystanders in a frenzied attack.

This was not a real event, but a highly immersive workshop scenario designed to simulate a terrorist incident. And for more than 20 key stakeholders, from the King’s Cross area, it became a powerful wake-up call.

Why This Workshop? Why Now?

With Martyn’s Law (The Terrorism, Protection of Premises Act 2025) set to transform the way UK businesses address terrorism risk, many organisations are beginning to ask tough questions:

  • Are we prepared for an attack on our premises?
  • Would our staff know what to do?
  • How would we work with the police and emergency services?
  • How do we demonstrate due diligence under the new law?

Our client, a leading commercial operator in the heart of King’s Cross, took a proactive stance by hosting a multi-agency, scenario-based workshop focused on collaborative planning and real-world readiness.

The Workshop: More Than a Simulation

Designed and facilitated by the Inverroy team  made up of counterterrorism and crisis preparedness specialists, the half-day session placed participants into a fast-moving, high-stakes situation inspired by real-world events.

The scenario unfolded in stages:

  • The Impact: A vehicle rams into a crowded pedestrian zone, initiating chaos.
  • The Escalation: The driver continues the attack with a bladed weapon, creating a second wave of panic.
  • The Response: Police, paramedics, and businesses scramble to coordinate amid confusion.
  • The Aftermath: Public messaging, business continuity, and trauma support come into play.

Participants included representatives from the Metropolitan Police, local businesses, commercial property management, and frontline venue teams.

What Made It Powerful

This was a shared, visceral experience grounded in realism and urgency.

  • The Police Perspective: Senior officers from the Metropolitan Police shared operational insights, grounding the scenario in real-world doctrine and expectations.
  • Cross-Sector Collaboration: Participants engaged in live decision-making, testing communication strategies and command roles.
  • Practical Reflection: Attendees openly assessed vulnerabilities in their procedures, facilities, and frontline staff training.

Key Takeaways for Businesses

  • Everyone Has a Role: Even businesses with no formal security teams are critical players in the wider emergency response.
  • Martyn’s Law Requires Action: The upcoming legislation isn’t just a guideline; it places formal duties on businesses to prepare and protect.
  • Plans Must Be Lived: Teams must train regularly in how to lock down, evacuate, communicate, and respond, not just read a policy once a year.
  • Connections Build Resilience: Stronger ties between neighbours and responders can make all the difference in a crisis.

Participant Reflections

“We realised how quickly confusion can spread. If we’re not already communicating with our neighbours and the authorities, we’re behind the curve.” Property Management Firm

“The exercise made it real. It wasn’t about ticking a box — it was about protecting people. That’s the heart of Martyn’s Law.” Retail Operator

“It changed the way we think. We’re not just a business — we’re part of the response network.” Retail Operator

The Bigger Picture

Martyn’s Law is a pivotal moment for the UK business landscape. Named in memory of Martyn Hett, who lost his life in the Manchester Arena bombing, the law will soon require all publicly accessible venues to take proportionate steps to mitigate terror risks.

This workshop proved that the business community is not powerless — with the right mindset and the right preparation, businesses can save lives.

Looking Ahead

As Martyn’s Law approaches implementation and the publishing of the Section 27 guidance on compliance, our team continues to work with businesses across the UK to prepare, including:

  • Conducting vulnerability assessments
  • On-site Workshops and Tabletop Exercises
  • Emergency Response Plan Development
  • Staff Training in lockdown, evacuation, and public messaging

Want to be ready?
Get in touch with us today to design a workshop or compliance plan tailored to your site, your team, and your risk profile.

“I just want to say how great it is to have Inverroy on the team and handling this role. Their organisation, documenting and leadership is great to see and absolute (sic) necessary with these ongoing issues”

 

“Really top-quality analysis here – I hadn’t really been thinking about how the Middle East played into the Russia/West tension before reading this, but Inverroy raised a lot of really insightful points”

Global Energy Business

 

What Our Clients Say

What Our Clients Say

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.