Figen Murray receives National Pubwatch Award of Merit

Left to right: Steve Baker OBE Chair of NPW, Lord Kennedy, Figen Murray and Nigel Connor JD Wetherspoons

Figen Murray (OBE) has been awarded the National Pubwatch Award of Merit for her campaigning work in the field of event security, to make the evening and night time economy safer.

The Award of Merit acknowledges the valuable contributions that many individuals have made to the safety of the night time economy.

Her son, Martyn Hett, was one of the 22 people killed in the devastating Manchester Arena terror attack in May 2017.

Since that time, Figen has been the driving force behind ‘Martyn’s Law’; legislation that will require venues with a capacity of 100+ to improve security against the threat of terrorism.

“You should be able to go out for a meal, go out to the pub, go to the cinema, watch a football match, go to a music concert and still come home after. It isn’t right that people don’t come home after. The night time economy and hospitality industry as a whole can play such a big part in this,” she said.

“Thank you so much. I am really humbled. None of what I do is to get any accolades at all. I just want no other parent to go through what we are going through. I always say we are broken but not destroyed.”

Figen completed a Master’s Degree in counter-terrorism to better understand the issues. She was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Salford University in 2022, and additionally was made a Visiting Fellow at the Institute of Strategic Risk Management.

In recognition of her efforts within the security industry, Figen was awarded the Outstanding Contribution Award at the 2020 Counter Terror Awards. She was also awarded an OBE in the 2022 New Years’ Honours list.

Figen feels strongly that there needs to be improved career prospects, pay, working conditions and recognition for front line officers and those working in the security industry.

“I am really interested in the topic of security. Every time I go out and see somebody on the door I am thinking ‘thank you’ and on occasion I will say ‘thank you’ and have a chat with them. I like what they do,” she said.

She regularly speaks at schools, colleges and Universities to educate young people about the dangers of radicalisation, urging them to confront the issues and how they can positively influence and shape society.

“There are two options when the worse thing happens in life – you sink or you swim and I just decided to become a super swimmer,” she said.

See our interview with Figen Murray here