What is Martyn’s Law?
Martyn’s Law is the common name for the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, a new piece of UK legislation designed to improve how publicly accessible venues and events prepare for and respond to the threat of terrorism.
The law builds on the UK’s wider counter-terrorism strategy and places legal duties on those responsible for certain premises or events to consider the risks posed by terrorist attacks, take “reasonably practicable” steps to reduce vulnerability, and be ready to protect the public if an attack occurs.
This article explores who Martyn’s Law applies to, when it will be in force, and the two tiers of duty venues will need to adhere to.
Who does Martyn’s Law apply to?
The legislation applies across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland and uses a tiered approach based mainly on how many people are reasonably expected at a premises or event at one time.
Generally, it applies to any publicly accessible venue where at least 200 people may be present, including shops, pubs, theatres, stadiums, schools, places of worship and major events, with additional requirements for larger sites or events (those expecting 800 or more people).
When does Martyn’s Law come into effect and how will it be enforced?
Martyn’s Law received Royal Assent on 3 April 2025 and is now on the statute book, but it is not yet in force. A transition period of at least 24 months – expected to run until around April 2027 – has been built in before the legal duties become enforceable.
During this time, the Security Industry Authority (SIA) will establish its role as regulator, statutory guidance will be published, and organisations can prepare for their new responsibilities.
Venues will not face immediate criminalisation. Instead, the legislation will be enforced through a regulatory and civil approach. The SIA will monitor compliance by requesting information, reviewing security plans and procedures, and carrying out inspections where appropriate. Enforcement will be proportionate and risk-based, with a focus on supporting organisations to meet their obligations.
Where non-compliance is identified, the SIA may issue a compliance notice outlining required actions within a set timeframe. Continued failure or serious breaches could result in financial penalties, scaled according to factors such as venue size and risk level. Criminal offences are reserved for the most serious cases and will be used only as a last resort.
Why has it been introduced to the UK and why is it called Martyn’s Law?
Martyn’s Law was introduced to strengthen how publicly accessible venues and events across the UK prepare for and respond to the threat of terrorism. The law builds on lessons from the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing, in which 22 innocent people, including Martyn Hett, were killed and hundreds more were injured, hence the name, Martyn’s Law.
A subsequent public inquiry and counter-terrorism reviews highlighted the need for clearer, enforceable duties on venues to consider and reduce their vulnerability to terrorist attacks.
The campaign for this law was led by Figen Murray OBE, Martyn’s mother. After losing her son in the Manchester attack, Figen channelled her grief into a long-running effort to see legislative change that would help make public spaces safer.
She began campaigning in earnest in 2019, gathering widespread public support, engaging with policymakers, and raising awareness of the issue. Her campaign included a 200-mile walk from Manchester Arena to Downing Street in May 2024, timed to coincide with the anniversary of the attack, to highlight the urgent need for legal protections and deliver an appeal to government.
Figen’s advocacy brought together a broad coalition of supporters, including security experts and other campaigners. Her determination and personal advocacy were widely acknowledged as pivotal in shaping and advancing the legislation through Parliament, ensuring that Martyn’s legacy would be one of lasting public safety improvements.
When do venues need to comply with Martyn’s Law?
Although Martyn’s Law is now part of UK legislation, venues are not required to comply immediately. However, the Government has confirmed a minimum implementation period of 24 months before the duties become legally enforceable.
This means that venues and event organisers will not be expected to meet the requirements of Martyn’s Law until at least April 2027. During this transition period, there will be no enforcement action taken against organisations that are in scope of the legislation. Instead, the focus is on preparation, guidance and engagement.
The implementation period is designed to give those responsible for premises and events time to understand whether they fall within the scope of the law, what tier they sit in, and what proportionate steps they will need to take. It also allows the Security Industry Authority (SIA) to publish statutory guidance, establish reporting systems, and provide clarity on how the law will operate in practice.
For venues, this period should be used to review existing security arrangements, consider potential risks, and begin planning any procedural or physical measures that may be required once the law comes into force.
The length of the transition reflects the Government’s intention that Martyn’s Law is practical, proportionate and achievable, particularly for smaller venues.
If you’re unsure of how to prepare, here are five practical ways venues can get ready for the enforcement of Martyn’s Law:
- Review whether your venue or events are likely to fall within scope, based on expected occupancy and public access.
- Appoint a clear internal lead or “responsible person” to oversee counter-terrorism preparedness and future compliance.
- Assess current security and safety arrangements, identifying any gaps in procedures, staff awareness or physical measures.
- Familiarise senior staff with publicly available guidance, including Protect Duty principles and ProtectUK resources.
- Begin documenting relevant plans, processes and decision-making, so information is ready to formalise once statutory guidance is issued.
The two tiers of duty under Martyn’s Law
Martyn’s Law takes a tiered, proportionate approach, recognising that not all venues face the same level of risk.
The two tiers – Standard Tier and Enhanced Tier – set out clear expectations based on size and capacity, outlining what different types of venues need to do in practice to protect the public.
Below, is a breakdown of the Standard and Enhanced Tiers and how they apply in practice.
What is the standard tier under Martyn’s Law?
The Standard Tier is designed for publicly accessible premises and events where it is reasonable to expect between 200 and 799 people to be present at the same time. This tier reflects the Government’s intention that Martyn’s Law should be proportionate, practical and achievable, particularly for smaller venues and organisations without dedicated security teams.
Rather than requiring physical security installations or specialist counter-terrorism equipment, the Standard Tier focuses on procedural preparedness – ensuring venues are ready to respond effectively if an incident were to occur.
At the heart of the Standard Tier are public protection procedures. These are sensible, clearly documented steps that help staff prevent harm and respond quickly in an emergency.
In practice, this includes having clear incident response plans that outline what staff should do in scenarios such as a suspected terrorist threat, an evacuation, or a lockdown. Plans should be easy to understand, realistic for the setting, and tailored to how the venue actually operates.
Staff awareness training is another core requirement. This does not mean advanced counter-terrorism training, but ensuring that relevant staff understand basic threat indicators, know how to raise concerns, and are confident in following emergency procedures. Training should be appropriate to staff roles and responsibilities and refreshed periodically so it remains effective.
Crucially, Martyn’s Law emphasises that measures must be “reasonable and proportionate”. For Standard Tier venues, this means actions that reflect the size, nature and layout of the premises, as well as the level of risk. For example, a small theatre, community hall or place of worship would not be expected to implement the same controls as a large arena.
Instead, reasonable steps might include briefing staff, clarifying lines of responsibility, improving communication methods, and making sure emergency exits and assembly points are well understood.
The Standard Tier recognises that prepared people are as important as physical security. By improving awareness, planning and coordination, venues can significantly reduce confusion and risk during an incident – without imposing unnecessary burden or cost.
This balanced approach is intended to embed public safety into everyday operations, rather than treating it as a specialist or exceptional activity.
What is the enhanced tier under Martyn’s Law?
The Enhanced Tier applies to publicly accessible premises and qualifying events where it is reasonable to expect 800 or more people to be present at the same time. This tier recognises that larger venues and events generally face greater complexity and risk and therefore require a more structured approach to public protection and preparedness.
Under the Enhanced Tier, duty holders are expected to implement more formal and clearly documented measures than those required under the Standard Tier. A central requirement is the appointment of a designated “responsible person”.
This individual is accountable for ensuring the venue meets its legal duties, maintains appropriate security arrangements, and acts as the main point of contact with the regulator. The role does not necessarily require specialist security expertise, but it does require authority, oversight and clear accountability.
Enhanced Tier venues must put in place documented public protection procedures that explain how risks are assessed, how incidents will be managed, and how staff are expected to respond.
These procedures should cover prevention, response and recovery, and be tailored to the specific characteristics of the premises or event. Clear documentation helps ensure consistency, supports staff training, and provides evidence of compliance.
In addition to procedures, Enhanced Tier venues may be required to introduce additional protective measures. These could include controlled access points, bag-search policies, CCTV coverage, security staff presence, or physical design measures that reduce vulnerability.
Importantly, the law does not mandate a fixed list of controls. Instead, measures should be selected based on an understanding of risk and what is reasonably practicable for the venue.
The principle of “reasonable and proportionate” remains central to the Enhanced Tier. While expectations are higher, venues are not required to implement excessive or inappropriate security.
A conference centre, for example, may adopt different measures to a sports stadium, even if both fall within the same tier. Decisions should consider the nature of events, crowd behaviour, layout, location and existing safety arrangements.
Ultimately, the Enhanced Tier aims to embed security planning into the management of larger venues in a structured, accountable way. By combining documented procedures, designated responsibility and proportionate protective measures, the law seeks to improve public safety while remaining flexible enough to reflect real-world operational challenges.
How does Martyn’s Law link to existing health and safety duties?
Martyn’s Law is not intended to replace existing health and safety responsibilities. Instead, it builds on familiar duties that many venues and event organisers already have under UK health and safety legislation, particularly around risk assessment, emergency planning and staff preparedness.
Under laws such as the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, organisations are already required to assess risks to people, plan for emergencies, and ensure staff know what to do if something goes wrong. Martyn’s Law extends this approach by making it clear that terrorism-related threats should be considered as part of that wider risk landscape, where relevant.
In practice, this means that many of the activities required under Martyn’s Law will feel familiar. Reviewing risks, documenting procedures, training staff, and rehearsing responses are not new concepts. What Martyn’s Law does is add consistency and legal clarity, ensuring that preparedness for terrorist incidents is not overlooked or treated as optional, particularly in publicly accessible spaces.
Importantly, Martyn’s Law reinforces the principle of proportionality, which is already central to health and safety management. Venues are expected to take steps that are reasonable for their size, nature and level of risk, rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach. For smaller venues, this may simply mean adapting existing emergency plans and briefings. For larger venues, it may involve more structured documentation and oversight.
By aligning closely with existing health and safety frameworks, Martyn’s Law aims to integrate counter-terrorism preparedness into everyday management practices, rather than creating a separate or competing set of obligations. This helps organisations strengthen public protection while building on systems they already understand and use.
Start preparing for Martyn’s Law
While Martyn’s Law isn’t expected to be enforced until around April 2027, it’s important for venues to begin early preparations now instead of leaving it too late.
At British Safety Council, our informative Martyn’s Law training course will help you gain a clearer understanding of this new legislation. It also covers who it applies to, and the key differences between the Standard and Enhanced tiers. Upon completion, you’ll have the knowledge to explain safety planning, responsible roles and threat assessments under Martyn’s Law.
If you’re looking for more information about the Martyn’s Law legislation, please feel free to contact us.
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