A New Era of Public Safety: Understanding Martyn’s Law and What It Means for UK Venues

ByDaniel

In a landmark move for public safety and national security, the United Kingdom has formally adopted the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, a piece of legislation more commonly and poignantly known as Martyn’s Law. This Act, which received Royal Assent on April 3, 2025, marks the culmination of a tireless campaign led by Figen Murray, the mother of Martyn Hett, who was one of the 22 people tragically killed in the 2017 Manchester Arena attack.

But what is Martyn’s Law, and what will it mean for the public premises and events we all attend? This article explores the details of the new legislation, who it will affect, and the steps venues will need to take to comply.

The Purpose: Creating a Consistent Standard of Security

For years, a disparity has existed in how public venues approach counter-terrorism security. While health and safety or fire regulations are robust and legally mandated, preparedness for a terrorist attack has often been inconsistent, varying greatly from one organisation to another.

The government’s factsheet highlights a complex, evolving, and enduring threat. Terrorists can target a broad range of locations, making it impossible to predict where an attack might occur. Martyn’s Law seeks to address this vulnerability directly. Its core purpose is to improve protective security and organisational preparedness across the UK by mandating that those responsible for certain premises and events consider the risk and implement appropriate, proportionate measures.

It’s not about creating fortresses. Instead, it’s about ensuring that every qualifying venue has a plan, has trained its staff, and has taken reasonable steps to be ready to respond in the event of an attack, ultimately reducing vulnerability and saving lives.

A Tiered Approach: Who is in Scope?

The Act introduces a tiered, proportionate system based on the number of individuals reasonably expected to be present at a location at any one time. This ensures that the requirements placed on a small village hall are not the same as those on a major football stadium.

The law will apply to premises (including buildings) and events that are accessible to the public and meet specific criteria.

1. The Standard Duty Tier

  • Who it applies to: Premises where it is reasonable to expect that 200 to 799 individuals (including staff) may be present at the same time.
  • What is required: The requirements for this tier are designed to be low-cost, focusing on preparedness and procedure rather than expensive physical hardware. Responsible persons will be required to:
    • Notify the SIA: Register their premises with the Security Industry Authority (SIA), which will act as the new regulator.
    • Implement Public Protection Procedures: Have procedures in place, so far as is reasonably practicable, to be followed if a terrorist attack occurs. This includes plans for evacuation, invacuation (moving people to a safe place within the building), lockdown, and effective communication with attendees and staff during an incident.

2. The Enhanced Duty Tier

  • Who it applies to: This tier covers higher-capacity locations.
    • Premises: Where it is reasonable to expect 800 or more individuals to be present.
    • Events: Qualifying events with an expected attendance of 800 or more individuals.
  • What is required: This tier includes all the requirements of the Standard Duty, plus several more robust measures:
    • Implement Public Protection Measures: In addition to procedures, these are measures intended to reduce the vulnerability of the premises to an attack. This could include, for example, monitoring the premises and its immediate vicinity.
    • Formal Documentation: The responsible person must document all public protection procedures and measures. This document must also include an assessment of how these steps reduce the risk of harm and must be provided to the SIA.
    • Designated Senior Individual: A senior person within the organisation (where the responsible person is not an individual) must be designated as responsible for ensuring compliance with the Act.

Enforcement and Implementation

To oversee the new law, a new regulatory function will be established within the Security Industry Authority (SIA). The SIA’s role will not just be enforcement but also to support, advise, and guide venues in meeting their new obligations.

Where serious or persistent non-compliance occurs, the SIA will have the power to take action, including issuing compliance notices, monetary penalties, and restriction notices.

However, businesses and organisations will be given time to adapt. The government has stated its intention for an implementation period of at least 24 months before the Act comes into force. This window will allow the new SIA function to be established and, critically, give premises and event organisers sufficient time to understand their new obligations, plan, and prepare accordingly. Guidance and support materials will be provided, designed to be easy to follow without needing specialist third-party services.

A UK-Wide Law Driven by a Tragic Legacy

Importantly, the legislation will apply to the entirety of the United Kingdomโ€”England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Irelandโ€”ensuring a consistent level of protection for the public, no matter where they are.

Martyn’s Law is a profound and necessary change, born from an unthinkable tragedy. It shifts the focus of counter-terrorism preparedness from a voluntary good practice to a legal requirement. While the police and security services continue their vital work, this Act empowers businesses and organisations to play their part.

It ensures that Martyn Hett’s legacy, and that of all victims of terrorism, is not just one of remembrance, but one of tangible, life-saving action that will better protect the public for generations to come.

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