Martyns Law: Full Guide to the Terrorism Protection of Premises Act

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Why Martyn’s Law Matters

Martyn’s Law represents one of the most significant changes to public safety legislation in decades. Formally known as the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, the law introduces a new legal duty for certain public venues and events to take practical steps to reduce the risk of a terrorist attack and to improve how they respond should the worst ever happen. Its core purpose is simple yet vital: to protect the public, save lives, and ensure venues of all sizes are better prepared for emergencies.

The legislation is named in honour of Martyn Hett, one of the 22 victims tragically killed in the 2017 Manchester Arena attack. His mother, Figen Murray, led a tireless campaign for stronger, common-sense security measures in public spaces. Martyn’s Law is the result of that effort, a national framework designed to make preparedness a standard expectation, not an optional extra.

Although the threat of terrorism in the UK has evolved over the years, the underlying reality remains attacks can happen anywhere, at any time, and often in places where people feel most relaxed. The government recognised a gap in how public-facing venues approached safety and emergency planning, especially smaller premises that lacked the guidance or resources larger venues take for granted. Martyn’s Law closes that gap by setting out clear, scalable requirements based on venue size and capacity.

This article provides the most comprehensive and accessible guide to Martyn’s Law available today. Whether you manage a restaurant, hotel, theatre, shopping centre, stadium, visitor attraction, or a large temporary event, this guide will show you:

What Martyn’s Law is and what it aims to achieve
Which venues and events fall under the new rules
The differences between the Standard Duty and the Enhanced Duty
What practical steps your venue must take
How to prepare now, before enforcement begins
The benefits Martyn’s Law brings to public safety

We’ll also explore common misconceptions, such as the idea that Martyn’s Law requires expensive equipment or specialist consultants, and provide simple, actionable advice for compliance.

With the implementation period already underway, now is the ideal time for venues to understand their responsibilities. Preparedness doesn’t have to be complicated, and with the right guidance, any organisation can meet the requirements confidently and effectively. Let’s begin by defining exactly what Martyn’s Law is and why it marks a major shift in how the UK protects people in public spaces.

What Is Martyn’s Law? (A Clear, Simple Definition)

Martyn’s Law, officially the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, is new UK legislation designed to ensure that publicly accessible venues and events take proportionate steps to improve public safety. It does not aim to turn every venue into a high-security environment. Instead, it focuses on preparedness, awareness, and effective response planning.

At its core, Martyn’s Law requires certain premises and events to:

Assess their risk level
Create clear procedures for responding to an attack or suspected attack
Train staff so they know how to react in an emergency
Introduce proportionate protective security measures, depending on the size and type of venue
Notify and engage with the official regulator, the Security Industry Authority (SIA)

The goal is straightforward: to reduce vulnerability and improve the UK’s ability to respond to terrorism, particularly in crowded places where attacks can have the greatest impact.

Martyn’s Law is built on three key principles:

Preparedness Saves Lives

Many casualties in past attacks were linked to poor evacuation routes, confusion, or a lack of coordinated response. Martyn’s Law aims to change this by ensuring venues plan their response in advance.

Requirements Scale With Venue Size

The law introduces two categories:

Standard Duty, for premises with a capacity of 200–799 people
Enhanced Duty, for premises and events with 800 or more people

This ensures fairness: smaller venues with limited resources are not expected to implement the same measures as large arenas or stadiums.

Simple Measures Make a Big Difference

Martyn’s Law emphasises practical, low-cost steps such as:

Allocating a responsible person
Establishing clear evacuation and lockdown procedures
Training staff on situational awareness
Improving communication processes

These steps require planning, not large budgets, a common misconception the government has repeatedly clarified.

Why Was Martyn’s Law Introduced?

The Manchester Arena attack in 2017 exposed gaps in how venues prepared for mass emergencies. Investigations found that:

Staff were unsure how to respond
There were no clear communication chains
Suspicious behaviour was missed
Evacuation procedures were unclear or poorly understood

Martyn’s Law is the government’s response to these findings. It aims to ensure that every venue, from a small nightclub to a large arena, has a minimum standard of emergency readiness.

What Martyn’s Law Is Not

To avoid confusion, it’s important to highlight what this legislation does not require:

It does not force small venues to install CCTV or metal detectors
It does not require expensive physical security upgrades
It does not mandate hiring security guards
It does not replace police or counter-terrorism services

Martyn’s Law is about procedures and preparedness, not turning hospitality or leisure venues into heavily policed environments.

The Big Picture: A National Standard for Public Safety

For the first time, the UK now has a consistent, legally enforceable framework that helps venues protect the public. Until now, security practices varied widely, some businesses had comprehensive plans, while others had none at all.

Martyn’s Law brings everyone up to a minimum standard by:

Creating a shared expectation of safety
Providing official guidance and support
Ensuring venue staff are trained and confident
Encouraging proactive rather than reactive approaches

This consistency is expected to save lives in the long term, reduce chaos during emergencies, and build greater public trust in the safety of UK venues.

Which Premises and Events Does Martyn’s Law Apply To?

Martyn’s Law applies to a wide range of publicly accessible premises and events across the United Kingdom. The act recognises that terrorist attacks often target crowded places where people gather for leisure, entertainment, shopping, hospitality, travel, or civic purposes. To ensure the law remains fair and proportionate, different responsibilities apply depending on how many people a venue can hold at once.

Understanding whether your venue falls under the Standard Duty or the Enhanced Duty is the first step in determining what you must do to comply.

What Counts as a “Publicly Accessible Premises”?

A premises is considered publicly accessible if:

Members of the public can access it with or without a ticket
It is used for a commercial, charitable, cultural, recreational, educational, or entertainment purpose
It hosts 200 or more people at any given time (for Standard Duty)
It hosts 800 or more people (for Enhanced Duty)

The key point is public access.
If the public can reasonably be expected to be there, whether buying, visiting, eating, queuing, or attending, then the law may apply.

Premises and Events Covered by Martyn’s Law

Martyn’s Law applies to a broad list of locations. Below are common examples that fall within each tier based on capacity.

Standard Duty (200–799 people)

Applies to venues that can hold 200 or more people at once, such as:

Pubs and bars
Restaurants and food courts
Hotels and conference rooms
Nightclubs and music venues
Cinemas, theatres, and playhouses
Gyms, leisure centres, and sports facilities
Religious venues and places of worship
Visitor attractions and museums
Community halls and function rooms
Schools, universities, and colleges (public-facing areas)
Retail stores, supermarkets, and small shopping centres

These venues must introduce public protection procedures but are not required to install physical security equipment.

Enhanced Duty (800+ people)

Applies to larger venues and events that can hold 800 or more people, such as:

Arenas, stadiums, and large sports venues
Large theatres and concert halls
Large shopping centres and major retail complexes
Major transport hubs (when used for events)
Conference centres and exhibition halls
Festivals, fairs, and large temporary events
Amusement parks and large visitor attractions
Large nightclubs and multi-room event spaces
Event tents and marquees with controlled entry

These venues must meet the Standard Duty plus additional physical and organisational security requirements.

Premises Type vs Likely Martyn’s Law Tier

Premises Type	Typical Capacity	Standard Duty (200–799)	Enhanced Duty (800+)
Restaurants / Large Pubs	200–500	Yes	Rare
Hotels & Conference Rooms	200–1,000	Many	Some
Cinemas / Theatres	200–2,000	Many	Major Venues
Gyms / Leisure Centres	200–600	Yes	Uncommon
Visitor Attractions / Museums	300–3,000+	Yes	Larger Sites
Shopping Centres	500–10,000+	Smaller Centres	Large Centres
Arenas / Stadiums	5,000–80,000	No	Always
Festivals / Concerts	800–60,000	No (Below Threshold)	Always
Community Halls	200–400	Yes	No
Schools / Universities (public events)	200–2,000	Yes	Larger Events

What About Outdoor Events?

Martyn’s Law applies not just to buildings, but also to outdoor locations used for organised events, as long as:

Entry is controlled (e.g., ticketing, enclosed area, stewarding)
Capacity can reach 800+ people (Enhanced Duty)
The event is structured, advertised, or planned

This includes:

Festivals
Fairs
Christmas markets
Fireworks events
Outdoor concerts
Sporting events

Open public spaces without controlled entry, such as high streets, parks, or beaches, are generally not covered.

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What Premises Are NOT Covered by Martyn’s Law?

Certain locations are excluded from the legislation, typically because the public can’t freely access them or because they pose very low risk.

Premises not covered include:

Private homes
Small shops with fewer than 200 people at peak times
Offices closed to the public
Staff-only industrial or warehouse sites
Construction sites
Private clubs without public access
Open outdoor areas with no controlled entry
Transport systems in normal operational use (stations, trains, airports)*

Note: Some transport hubs are covered if used for events or gatherings (e.g., concerts, exhibitions).

Why Capacity Matters More Than Floor Space

Martyn’s Law does not measure square footage.
It focuses on people density and expected attendance at one time.

For example:

A small theatre with 220 seats = covered
A huge warehouse with 20 people inside = not covered
A festival field with 5,000 attendees = covered
A shopping centre with over 800 peak occupancy = covered

Capacity is about real-world risk, not building size.

Temporary, Pop-Up and Seasonal Businesses

Temporary venues are included when:

They expect 200+ people (Standard) or 800+ (Enhanced)
They are publicly accessible
The public enters through a controlled point

This includes:

Seasonal attractions
Pop-up events
Temporary bars or music venues
Event marquees
Fan zones
Sporting fan villages

These operators must meet duties just like permanent buildings.

Why Understanding the Tier Is Critical

Your tier determines:

Which legal duties apply
Whether you must submit documents to the SIA
Whether physical measures are required
How much training your staff need
What happens if you fail to comply

Getting this right is essential before planning any compliance strategy.

Summary

Martyn’s Law casts a wide net, far wider than many businesses realise. Any venue where the public gathers in significant numbers must assess whether it meets the capacity thresholds and prepare accordingly. The law is designed to be proportionate, so requirements scale with the size and nature of the premises.

Understanding the Standard Duty (200–799 Capacity)

Certain locations are excluded from the legislation, typically because the public can’t freely access them or because they pose very low risk.

Premises not covered include:

Private homes
Small shops with fewer than 200 people at peak times
Offices closed to the public
Staff-only industrial or warehouse sites
Construction sites
Private clubs without public access
Open outdoor areas with no controlled entry
Transport systems in normal operational use (stations, trains, airports)*

Note: Some transport hubs are covered if used for events or gatherings (e.g., concerts, exhibitions).

Why Capacity Matters More Than Floor Space

Martyn’s Law does not measure square footage.
It focuses on people density and expected attendance at one time.

For example:

A small theatre with 220 seats = covered
A huge warehouse with 20 people inside = not covered
A festival field with 5,000 attendees = covered
A shopping centre with over 800 peak occupancy = covered

Capacity is about real-world risk, not building size.

Temporary, Pop-Up and Seasonal Businesses

Temporary venues are included when:

They expect 200+ people (Standard) or 800+ (Enhanced)
They are publicly accessible
The public enters through a controlled point

This includes:

Seasonal attractions
Pop-up events
Temporary bars or music venues
Event marquees
Fan zones
Sporting fan villages

These operators must meet duties just like permanent buildings.

Why Understanding the Tier Is Critical

Your tier determines:

Which legal duties apply
Whether you must submit documents to the SIA
Whether physical measures are required
How much training your staff need
What happens if you fail to comply

Getting this right is essential before planning any compliance strategy.

Summary

The Standard Duty is the first tier of Martyn’s Law and applies to publicly accessible premises that can hold 200 to 799 people at any one time. This tier is specifically designed for small and medium-sized venues that interact with the public daily but may not have the financial or operational ability to implement complex security systems.

The focus is simple: practical, proportional preparedness.
Standard Duty venues are not expected to install expensive equipment, hire security teams, or transform how they operate. Instead, they must follow sensible steps that significantly improve public safety without placing undue burden on owners or operators.

Which Venues Fall Under the Standard Duty?

This list is far broader than many businesses realise. Any venue with a peak expected occupancy of 200+ people will fall into this category.

Examples include:

Bars, pubs, and nightlife venues
Restaurants, food halls, and large cafés
Cinemas and smaller theatres
Gyms, leisure centres, and fitness clubs
Community halls, village halls, and faith venues
Visitor attractions and museums
Retail stores with high footfall
Hotels, conference rooms, and function spaces
Schools, colleges, and universities (public-facing areas)
Medium-sized events, fairs, and exhibitions

Many venues that have never considered security planning before will now fall under this tier.

What the Standard Duty Requires

The Standard Duty outlines core legal requirements that every applicable premises must follow. These are based on procedures, planning, and training, not equipment.

Here are the key obligations:

Notify the Regulator (SIA)

The responsible person for the premises must submit a notification to the Security Industry Authority (SIA) stating:

They are the responsible person
The premises meets the threshold
They will fulfil the Standard Duty
They will submit required information about their procedures

This forms the foundation for compliance.

Introduce Public Protection Procedures

These procedures are the heart of the Standard Duty and must outline how the venue will respond to:

A terrorist attack
A suspected terrorist attack
A nearby attack affecting safety
Suspicious behaviour or objects
Emergency evacuation

These procedures should be:

Written
Clear
Easy for staff to understand
Realistic for the venue’s layout and staffing levels

Create Emergency Evacuation and Lockdown Plans

Venues must have clear plans that include:

Evacuation routes
Fire assembly points
Alternative exits
Safe internal areas for lockdown
Communication processes (internal & external)
Staff roles during an emergency
Procedures for vulnerable people
Escape route signage

Lockdown procedures are particularly important for venues where evacuation may not be safe.

Train Staff to Carry Out These Procedures

Every staff member, including part-time and seasonal staff, must understand:

What to do in an attack
Who the responsible person is
How to evacuate customers
How to initiate lockdown
How to communicate effectively
How to spot suspicious behaviour

Training does not need to be expensive. Government resources will be made available to support venues during implementation.

Ensure Procedures Are Accessible On-Site

This means the venue must:

Keep procedures updated
Store them in a location staff can easily reach
Ensure information is clear and unambiguous
Brief new staff as part of onboarding

Digital documents, printed plans, and staff handbooks all count as acceptable formats.

What the Standard Duty Does Not Require

It’s important to clear up misconceptions.
Standard Duty venues are not required to:

Install CCTV
Add metal detectors or bag scanners
Hire security guards
Install turnstiles or barriers
Conduct stop-and-search
Build safe rooms or fortified entrances

The law deliberately avoids imposing these measures on smaller venues.

Example Scenarios for Standard Duty Compliance

To help venues understand what this looks like in practice, here are real-world examples.

Scenario 1: A Large Restaurant with 300-Seat Capacity

Requirements:

Notify SIA
Written procedures for suspicious activity, evacuation & lockdown
Staff awareness training
Clear exit signage & secondary exit plan

No need for:

CCTV upgrades
Metal detectors
On-site security officers

Scenario 2: Medium-Sized Gym with 250 Users at Peak Times

Requirements:

Appoint responsible person for procedures
Lockdown instructions for changing areas
Emergency call protocols
Clear roles for reception staff

Scenario 3: Community Centre Hosting Regular Events

Requirements:

Communicate procedures to event organisers
Simple, laminated emergency guides
Map with evacuation routes
Staff training before major events

Standard Duty Requirements at a Glance

Requirement	Is It Mandatory?	Notes
Notify SIA	Yes	First step of compliance
Public Protection Procedures	Yes	These form the core Standard Duty requirement
Staff Training	Yes	Must be proportionate and easy to understand
Emergency Plans (Evacuation & Lockdown)	Yes	Plans must be written and relevant to the venue layout
Documented Procedures	Yes	Documents must be accessible to all staff
Physical Security Equipment	No	CCTV, scanners, barriers & guards are NOT required
Hiring Security Staff	No	Optional — not a legal requirement for Standard Duty
External Consultants	No	Government guidance means consultants aren’t required

The 10 Most Important Procedures for Standard Duty Venues

Here are the top procedures every Standard Duty venue should have in place:

How to identify the responsible person
Clear evacuation routes and exit strategy
Lockdown procedures for high-risk scenarios
Suspicious object detection and response
Suspicious person identification (baseline behaviours)
Communication plan (internal + emergency services)
Visitor and contractor management
Staff roles during emergency response
Procedures for evacuating vulnerable individuals
Post-incident recovery and re-opening steps

Why the Standard Duty Is So Important

This tier affects thousands of UK venues, and for many, it will be the first time they have ever formalised emergency procedures. The government designed the Standard Duty to:

Improve venue preparedness
Reduce confusion during major incidents
Create a single national standard
Provide consistent staff training expectations
Raise public confidence in safety
Save lives through better planning

Small improvements in preparedness can dramatically reduce casualties during an attack.

The 10 Most Important Procedures for Standard Duty Venues

Here are the top procedures every Standard Duty venue should have in place:

How to identify the responsible person
Clear evacuation routes and exit strategy
Lockdown procedures for high-risk scenarios
Suspicious object detection and response
Suspicious person identification (baseline behaviours)
Communication plan (internal + emergency services)
Visitor and contractor management
Staff roles during emergency response
Procedures for evacuating vulnerable individuals
Post-incident recovery and re-opening steps

Why the Standard Duty Is So Important

This tier affects thousands of UK venues, and for many, it will be the first time they have ever formalised emergency procedures. The government designed the Standard Duty to:

Improve venue preparedness
Reduce confusion during major incidents
Create a single national standard
Provide consistent staff training expectations
Raise public confidence in safety
Save lives through better planning

Small improvements in preparedness can dramatically reduce casualties during an attack.

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Martyn’s Law brings essential responsibilities for every UK venue — but compliance doesn’t need to be complicated. If you’d like help reviewing your procedures, developing emergency plans, or understanding your legal duties, our specialists can guide you step-by-step. Start building a safer, more resilient venue today.

Understanding the Enhanced Duty (800+ Capacity)

Here are the top procedures every Standard Duty venue should have in place:

How to identify the responsible person
Clear evacuation routes and exit strategy
Lockdown procedures for high-risk scenarios
Suspicious object detection and response
Suspicious person identification (baseline behaviours)
Communication plan (internal + emergency services)
Visitor and contractor management
Staff roles during emergency response
Procedures for evacuating vulnerable individuals
Post-incident recovery and re-opening steps

Why the Standard Duty Is So Important

This tier affects thousands of UK venues, and for many, it will be the first time they have ever formalised emergency procedures. The government designed the Standard Duty to:

Improve venue preparedness
Reduce confusion during major incidents
Create a single national standard
Provide consistent staff training expectations
Raise public confidence in safety
Save lives through better planning

Small improvements in preparedness can dramatically reduce casualties during an attack.

The Enhanced Duty applies to large venues and events that can hold 800 or more people at any one time. These locations are considered higher-risk due to their size, the density of people, and their potential attractiveness to attackers.

While the Standard Duty focuses on procedures and staff readiness, the Enhanced Duty adds a further layer of physical and organisational security measures—all designed to reduce the likelihood of an attack and to limit its impact should one occur.

The Enhanced Duty is intentionally proportionate: venues are required to take steps that are reasonably practicable, not excessive or financially unrealistic. The law acknowledges that each venue is different and that security must be tailored to real-world operations.

Which Venues Fall Under the Enhanced Duty?

Any premises or event with the capacity for 800+ people, where the public can access the site, will fall under this tier. This includes:

Arenas and stadiums
Large theatres and concert halls
Major shopping centres
Exhibition halls and conference centres
Large visitor attractions and theme parks
Major festivals, concerts, and outdoor events with controlled entry
Large nightclubs or multi-room event venues
Transport hubs used for events (e.g., live concerts in stations)

Many of these venues already have security processes in place—but Martyn’s Law formalises these measures and establishes national consistency.

What the Enhanced Duty Requires

Enhanced Duty venues must meet all Standard Duty requirements, plus a set of additional obligations.

Below is a breakdown of each requirement.

Protective Security Measures (“Reasonably Practicable” Steps)

Enhanced Duty venues must identify and implement suitable measures to reduce the risk of an attack. These may include:

CCTV for monitoring crowds and entrances
Bag checks or screening (if appropriate)
Search policies for staff and contractors
Perimeter and approach management
Use of barriers, bollards, or queuing systems
Secure staff-only areas
Monitoring of external approach routes
Improved lighting around entrances and exits
Dedicated security personnel or stewards

These measures should be proportionate to:

Venue size
Type of event
Layout and entrances
Existing security capability

This is not about turning venues into fortresses. It’s about eliminating obvious vulnerabilities.

Terrorism Risk Assessment

Venues must conduct a documented terrorism risk assessment that includes:

Key threats relevant to the venue
Vulnerabilities in layout, staffing, and access
Existing safety measures
Gaps or weaknesses to address
How security measures would mitigate risk

This assessment forms the backbone of all other requirements.

Security Plan and Documentation Submission

Enhanced venues must produce, maintain, and submit:

A detailed security plan
Documentation of measures taken
Staff training plans
Contact details for the Responsible Person
Risk assessment outcomes
Procedures for incidents and suspicious activity

This ensures the Security Industry Authority (SIA) has a full understanding of how the venue intends to comply.

Appointment of a “Senior Responsible Person”

If the venue is owned or operated by an organisation, a senior individual must be formally appointed to ensure compliance. This person is accountable for:

Approving security plans
Ensuring training takes place
Overseeing documentation
Communicating with the SIA
Maintaining compliance

This step prevents responsibility from being “diluted” across teams.

Enhanced Staff Training and Awareness

Staff must receive training on:

Identifying suspicious behaviour
Checking bags or screening areas
How to initiate evacuation or lockdown
Terrorism-specific emergency response
Communication chains
Visitor management
Crowd flow and congestion control

Training must be logged and updated regularly.

Drills, Practice, and Scenario Testing

Enhanced venues are expected to run:

Evacuation drills
Lockdown tests
Communication tests
Scenario-based tabletop exercises

This helps ensure staff can act quickly and confidently.

What the Enhanced Duty Does Not Require

Even at this higher tier, the law remains proportionate. Enhanced Duty venues are not required to:

Conduct full airport-style screening
Install high-cost technology unless reasonably practicable
Implement invasive procedures that obstruct business
Hire full-time counter-terror teams
Build blast-resistant infrastructure

The focus is on risk-based, practical improvements.

Examples of Enhanced Duty Compliance

Here are realistic scenarios for different types of venues:

Scenario 1: Large Arena (12,000 capacity)

Likely Measures:

CCTV monitoring of all entrances
Bag checks before entry
Perimeter checks and patrols
Clear site-wide communications system
Trained stewards and marshals
Dedicated emergency command structure

Scenario 2: Major Shopping Centre (30,000+ daily visitors)

Likely Measures:

CCTV with active monitoring
Staff awareness training for all retailers
Suspicious behaviour reporting pathways
Regular drills with centre management
Documented evacuation plans

Scenario 3: Outdoor Music Festival (15,000 attendees)

Likely Measures:

Controlled ticketed entry
Perimeter fencing
Bag checks
Marshals and roaming safety officers
Emergency access routes
Clear signage
Security control room on site

Standard Duty vs Enhanced Duty (Side-by-Side Comparison)

Requirement	Standard Duty (200–799)	Enhanced Duty (800+)
Notify SIA	Required	Required
Public Protection Procedures	Required	Required
Evacuation & Lockdown Procedures	Required	Required
Staff Training	Required	Required (Enhanced)
Physical Security Measures	Not Required	Required (proportionate)
Terrorism Risk Assessment	Not Required	Required
Security Plan Submission	Not Required	Required
Senior Responsible Person	Not Required	Required
Drills & Exercises	Not Required	Expected

Why the Enhanced Duty Is So Significant

The Enhanced Duty is designed for the UK’s highest-footfall venues, the spaces where attacks could have the most devastating impact. By requiring a structured security approach, the law aims to:

Reduce the attractiveness of venues to hostile actors
Strengthen on-the-ground staff capability
Improve early detection of suspicious behaviour
Ensure rapid and coordinated response to incidents
Provide clarity, accountability, and consistency nationwide

In effect, this tier builds the foundation for a national safety culture that matches the size and scale of modern public venues.

Implementation Timeline & What Happens Next

Martyn’s Law officially became legislation on 3 April 2025, marking a major shift in how the UK approaches public safety. However, the law is not enforced immediately. The government recognises that venues need time to prepare, train staff, and put new procedures in place, especially smaller businesses with limited resources.

To support a smooth national transition, the Act includes a minimum 24-month implementation period. This gives venues, event organisers, and local authorities time to understand their responsibilities, plan effectively, and avoid unnecessary disruption.

This section explains what happens during the implementation phase, when enforcement will begin, and what venues should be doing now to stay ahead of the curve.

Key Dates for Martyn’s Law

Below is a simplified timeline outlining the major milestones in the rollout of the legislation.

April 2025, Act Becomes Law

The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 is officially passed.
From this point onwards:

Guidance development begins
Stakeholder engagement increases
Venues start early preparation

This is the awareness phase, ensuring organisations understand that changes are coming.

2025–2026, Government Produces Guidance and Support

The government and Security Industry Authority (SIA) will release:

Step-by-step compliance guidance
Training resources (free or low-cost)
Templates for procedures and risk assessments
Examples of “reasonably practicable” measures
Case studies for different venue types

This ensures no venue needs expensive consultants to comply.

2026–2027, 24-Month Implementation Period

This is the window in which venues must:

Determine their tier (Standard or Enhanced)
Appoint a responsible person
Build or update emergency procedures
Train staff
Implement required physical measures (Enhanced tier)
Create documentation
Notify the SIA

For most organisations, the majority of work can be completed in phases, reducing cost and operational impact.

Late 2027 (Projected), Enforcement Begins

Once the implementation period ends:

Regulatory oversight becomes active
Penalties can be applied for non-compliance
Inspection and enforcement powers come into effect
Venues must be fully compliant with all duties

The exact enforcement date will be confirmed publicly by the government well in advance.

What the Government Will Provide During Implementation

The government emphasises that Martyn’s Law should be practical and proportionate, not burdensome. To help venues meet requirements, the SIA and ProtectUK will provide:

Training courses (online + in-person)
Operational templates for procedures
Risk assessment guidance
Scenario-based exercises
Sector-specific advice (hospitality, retail, events, leisure)
Regular updates through ProtectUK

This ensures that venues of all sizes, from small independent pubs to major stadiums, can access clear, professional, free-to-use resources.

When Do Venues Need to Act?

The short answer: now.
Venues don’t need to wait for enforcement to start preparing.

Here’s what venues should be doing immediately:

Review capacity thresholds
Identify the responsible person
Begin drafting evacuation/lockdown procedures
Train key staff in basic emergency response
Map the site’s entry and exit routes
Document existing safety measures
Review communication and alert systems
Start outlining site-specific risks

By beginning early, venues will avoid last-minute pressure and ensure the transition is smooth.

What Happens If a Venue Does Nothing?

Once enforcement begins, venues that fail to comply may face:

Improvement notices
Prohibition notices (closure until compliant)
Financial penalties
Legal liability for failing to take reasonable steps

The severity will depend on the tier and the level of neglect. The aim is not punishment, it is to protect the public, but enforcement will become increasingly strict over time.

The Martyn’s Law Implementation Timeline at a Glance

Phase	Year(s)	What Happens
Act Passed	2025	Legislation becomes law; awareness begins
Guidance Development	2025–2026	Government produces training, templates, and sector guidance
Implementation Period	2025–2027	Venues must prepare procedures, training, and security measures
Enforcement Begins	Late 2027 (estimated)	SIA powers active; full compliance becomes legally required

Why the Implementation Window Matters

The two-year window serves several critical purposes:

It reduces financial pressure

Venues can phase in changes gradually, avoiding sudden costs.

It improves quality of compliance

Rushed security planning is ineffective. The timeline promotes thoughtful and structured preparation.

It supports smaller operators

Many small and medium businesses have never created emergency procedures, time is essential.

It allows training and drills to mature

Staff awareness and emergency readiness improve with repetition, not short-term instruction.

Summary

Martyn’s Law is already in motion. Although full enforcement is two years away, the steps venues take today will determine how compliant, safe, and prepared they are when the law becomes active. With government guidance on the way and a clear timeline in place, organisations have everything they need to start planning now.

What Venues Must Do Now (Step-by-Step Plan)

Although Martyn’s Law will not be enforced until the end of the implementation period, every venue should begin preparing immediately. Early preparation means less pressure later, lower costs, smoother staff training, and a safer, more resilient environment for guests and employees.

This section outlines a clear, simple, step-by-step plan that any venue, from a 250-seat restaurant to a 20,000-seat arena, can follow to start becoming compliant today.

Each step applies to both Standard and Enhanced Duty venues, with additional requirements highlighted where necessary.

Step 1: Determine Your Venue Capacity and Tier

The first and most important step is understanding which tier your premises falls into.

✔️ Standard Duty (200–799 people):

You must follow the Standard Duty requirements, focusing on procedures, training, and notifying the SIA.

✔️ Enhanced Duty (800+ people):

You must comply with both the Standard Duty and the additional enhanced requirements, including risk assessments and physical measures.

How to calculate capacity accurately:

Use fire safety occupancy calculations
Review floor plans and official licence documents
Consider maximum occupancy at any one time (not total daily visitors)
For events, use estimated peak crowd numbers

This determines everything that follows.

Step 2: Identify the Responsible Person

Every venue must appoint a Responsible Person who will oversee:

Compliance with Martyn’s Law
Staff training
Emergency procedures
Document control
Communication with the SIA

For the Enhanced Duty, a Senior Responsible Person must be appointed, someone with authority to make operational and financial decisions.

This person becomes the internal leader of the venue’s safety strategy.

Step 3: Review Existing Emergency and Safety Procedures

Most venues already have fire safety plans, but many lack terrorism-specific procedures.

Review your existing documentation and identify:

Where evacuation plans are incomplete
Whether you have lockdown procedures
How staff are currently trained
Whether communication pathways are clear
How you manage crowds during emergencies

This forms the basis of your new public protection procedures.

Step 4: Create or Update Public Protection Procedures

This is mandatory for all venues under Martyn’s Law.

Procedures must cover:

Evacuation
Lockdown
Suspicious behaviour
Suspicious objects
Threats outside the building
First response actions
Communication pathways
Role assignments
Post-incident planning

These procedures must be:

Written
Easy to understand
Accessible to staff
Relevant to the venue layout

The government will release templates, but venues can already begin drafting these documents.

Step 5: Update Your Evacuation Plan

An evacuation plan is essential for all venues.

It must identify:

Primary and secondary exits
External assembly points
Back-of-house escape routes
Evacuation routes for disabled individuals
Signage and lighting requirements
Staff responsibilities
Route clearance processes

For Enhanced Duty venues, this may also include:

Route monitoring
Traffic management outside the venue
Barrier placement

Step 6: Create Lockdown Procedures

Some emergencies require shelter instead of evacuation.

Lockdown plans must include:

Safe internal rooms or zones
Securing entrances
Communication instructions
Staff roles during lockdown
Visitor instructions
How to manage groups or crowds
When and how to initiate lockdown

This is one of the most important, and often overlooked, requirements.

Step 7: Train All Staff

Training does not need to be expensive.
The government will provide free and low-cost training materials through ProtectUK and the SIA.

Training must cover:

What Martyn’s Law is
How to spot suspicious behaviour
Evacuation and lockdown procedures
Reporting pathways
Emergency communication
Practical, scenario-based response
Crowd flow management (especially for events)

For Enhanced Duty venues, training must be logged and regularly updated.

Step 8: Implement “Reasonably Practicable” Physical Measures (Enhanced Duty Only)

Enhanced Duty venues must also implement physical and organisational security measures, such as:

CCTV (where appropriate)
Controlled access points
Bag checks at major events
Barriers, fencing, or bollards
Security personnel
Perimeter monitoring
External lighting improvements
Secure staff-only areas
Queue management systems

These should be proportionate, not excessive.

Step 9: Conduct a Terrorism Risk Assessment (Enhanced Duty Only)

This assessment should cover:

Key threats
Vulnerabilities
Site layout issues
Staffing and resourcing
How measures mitigate risk
Emergency contact information

The risk assessment must be kept updated and submitted to the SIA.

Step 10: Create and Submit a Security Plan (Enhanced Duty Only)

Enhanced Duty venues must produce a formal security plan that includes:

Results of the risk assessment
Physical security measures
Emergency procedures
Staff training plans
Responsible person details
Contact information
Incident reporting framework

This must be submitted to the SIA for review.

Step 11: Test, Practise, and Improve Your Plans

All venues should regularly test their procedures through:

Evacuation drills
Lockdown drills
Tabletop exercises
Communication tests
Scenario-based simulations

Enhanced venues should test more frequently and keep detailed logs.

Step 12: Keep Documentation Updated and Accessible

Documentation must always be:

Current
Accurate
Easy to find
Easy to understand
Accessible to all staff
Shared with event organisers (where relevant)

Digital copies, printed manuals, and staff handbooks all count.

The “Martyn’s Law Readiness Checklist”

Below is a quick-reference checklist venues can begin using immediately:

Action	Standard Duty	Enhanced Duty
Determine capacity & tier	✔️	✔️
Appoint responsible person	✔️	✔️ Senior level
Notify the SIA	✔️	✔️
Create public protection procedures	✔️	✔️
Staff training	✔️	✔️ Enhanced
Evacuation plan	✔️	✔️
Lockdown plan	✔️	✔️
Suspicious behaviour procedures	✔️	✔️
Physical security measures	❌	✔️ Required
Terrorism risk assessment	❌	✔️ Required
Security plan submission	❌	✔️ Required
Drills & exercises	Recommended	✔️ Expected
Documentation updates	✔️	✔️

Why Acting Now Is the Smartest Move

Preparing early helps venues:

Avoid last-minute stress
Spread out costs
Train staff more effectively
Build a safety-first culture
Protect public confidence
Reduce operational risk
Ensure smooth compliance by 2027

The venues that prepare early will be the safest, and the most compliant, when enforcement begins.

Which Premises and Events Does Martyn’s Law Apply To?

Understanding whether your venue falls under the Standard Duty or the Enhanced Duty is the first step in determining what you must do to comply.

What Counts as a “Publicly Accessible Premises”?

A premises is considered publicly accessible if:

Members of the public can access it with or without a ticket
It is used for a commercial, charitable, cultural, recreational, educational, or entertainment purpose
It hosts 200 or more people at any given time (for Standard Duty)
It hosts 800 or more people (for Enhanced Duty)

The key point is public access.
If the public can reasonably be expected to be there, whether buying, visiting, eating, queuing, or attending, then the law may apply.

Premises and Events Covered by Martyn’s Law

Martyn’s Law applies to a broad list of locations. Below are common examples that fall within each tier based on capacity.

Standard Duty (200–799 people)

Applies to venues that can hold 200 or more people at once, such as:

Pubs and bars
Restaurants and food courts
Hotels and conference rooms
Nightclubs and music venues
Cinemas, theatres, and playhouses
Gyms, leisure centres, and sports facilities
Religious venues and places of worship
Visitor attractions and museums
Community halls and function rooms
Schools, universities, and colleges (public-facing areas)
Retail stores, supermarkets, and small shopping centres

These venues must introduce public protection procedures but are not required to install physical security equipment.

Enhanced Duty (800+ people)

Applies to larger venues and events that can hold 800 or more people, such as:

Arenas, stadiums, and large sports venues
Large theatres and concert halls
Large shopping centres and major retail complexes
Major transport hubs (when used for events)
Conference centres and exhibition halls
Festivals, fairs, and large temporary events
Amusement parks and large visitor attractions
Large nightclubs and multi-room event spaces
Event tents and marquees with controlled entry

These venues must meet the Standard Duty plus additional physical and organisational security requirements.

Premises Type vs Likely Martyn’s Law Tier

Premises Type	Typical Capacity	Standard Duty (200–799)	Enhanced Duty (800+)
Restaurants / Large Pubs	200–500	Yes	Rare
Hotels & Conference Rooms	200–1,000	Many	Some
Cinemas / Theatres	200–2,000	Many	Major Venues
Gyms / Leisure Centres	200–600	Yes	Uncommon
Visitor Attractions / Museums	300–3,000+	Yes	Larger Sites
Shopping Centres	500–10,000+	Smaller Centres	Large Centres
Arenas / Stadiums	5,000–80,000	No	Always
Festivals / Concerts	800–60,000	No (Below Threshold)	Always
Community Halls	200–400	Yes	No
Schools / Universities (public events)	200–2,000	Yes	Larger Events

What About Outdoor Events?

Martyn’s Law applies not just to buildings, but also to outdoor locations used for organised events, as long as:

Entry is controlled (e.g., ticketing, enclosed area, stewarding)
Capacity can reach 800+ people (Enhanced Duty)
The event is structured, advertised, or planned

This includes:

Festivals
Fairs
Christmas markets
Fireworks events
Outdoor concerts
Sporting events

Open public spaces without controlled entry, such as high streets, parks, or beaches, are generally not covered.

Common Mistakes Venues Make, And How to Avoid Them

Although Martyn’s Law introduces clear, proportionate requirements, many venues still misunderstand what the legislation demands. Misinterpretations lead to unnecessary spending, ineffective planning, and in some cases, dangerous gaps in readiness. This section addresses the most common mistakes, Mistake 1: Assuming the Law Only Applies to Large Venues

Many small and medium-sized venues incorrectly believe the law is only relevant to stadiums, arenas, and major events.
In reality:

Any premises with 200+ capacity is covered
Restaurants, bars, gyms, and visitor attractions frequently exceed this during peak periods
Even community venues and places of worship may qualify

How to avoid this mistake:
Calculate your peak occupancy accurately. If your venue can hold 200–799 people, you fall under the Standard Duty. Capacity determines compliance, not venue size or perceived risk. and how venues can avoid them.

Mistake 1: Assuming the Law Only Applies to Large Venues

Many small and medium-sized venues incorrectly believe the law is only relevant to stadiums, arenas, and major events.
In reality:

Any premises with 200+ capacity is covered
Restaurants, bars, gyms, and visitor attractions frequently exceed this during peak periods
Even community venues and places of worship may qualify

Mistake 2: Thinking Compliance Requires Expensive Security Equipment

One of the most widespread misconceptions is that Martyn’s Law forces venues to install:

CCTV
Metal detectors
Bag scanners
Barriers
High-tech monitoring tools

This is incorrect for Standard Duty venues.

How to avoid this mistake:
Understand your tier.
Standard Duty venues require procedures and training, not physical security upgrades.
Enhanced Duty venues must implement physical measures, but only those that are reasonably practicable and proportionate.

Mistake 3: Overcomplicating Procedures and Documentation

Some venues create thick binders of complex documents that staff never read or understand.
Overly complex procedures:

Slow down decision-making
Confuse staff in high-pressure moments
Are difficult to maintain or update

How to avoid this mistake:
Focus on clarity and simplicity.
Your emergency procedures should be:

Short
Easy to follow
Practical
Venue-specific

The goal is action, not paperwork.

Mistake 4: Failing to Provide Proper Staff Training

Even the best emergency plans are useless if staff don’t know how to execute them.

Common problems include:

No formal training
Relying on verbal explanations
Only training managers
No refresher training
Staff not knowing who the responsible person is

How to avoid this mistake:
Develop a structured training plan that covers:

Suspicious behaviour recognition
Evacuation and lockdown procedures
Communication processes
Roles and responsibilities
Scenario-based response

Training should be logged, repeated, and accessible to all staff, including seasonal workers.

Mistake 5: Not Practising Evacuation or Lockdown Drills

Many venues rely solely on fire drills and assume they are sufficient for all emergencies.
They are not.

How to avoid this mistake:
Run drills that specifically focus on:

Terrorism-related evacuation
Partial building evacuation
Lockdown procedures
Rapid communication
Role allocation in emergencies

Even simple tabletop exercises can dramatically improve preparedness.

Mistake 6: Ignoring External Areas and Approach Routes

Many venues only focus on the inside of the building and overlook vulnerabilities outside, such as:

Crowding at entrances
Unmonitored queues
Poor lighting
Blind spots
Vehicle access

These areas can be high-risk during crowded events.

How to avoid this mistake:
Include external areas in your:

Site risk assessment
Monitoring and patrols
Lighting improvements
Access control
Staff briefings and training

Mistake 7: Failing to Update Procedures When the Venue Changes

Venues evolve constantly:

New furniture layouts
New events
Seasonal footfall changes
Staffing changes
Additions to the building
New contractors or suppliers

Procedures that are not updated become quickly outdated and ineffective.

How to avoid this mistake:
Review and update your procedures:

After major events
After significant layout changes
At least annually
Whenever the responsible person changes

Documentation must reflect the current venue, not last year’s.

Mistake 8: Thinking Physical Security Is More Important Than Procedures

Many venues believe that CCTV or bag checks are the most important safety tools.
While valuable, physical measures cannot replace:

Clear roles and responsibilities
Staff training
Emergency procedures
Communication plans
Rapid decision making

Procedures always come first, equipment supports them, not the other way around.

How to avoid this mistake:
Build a procedures-first approach:

Create clear emergency plans
Train staff thoroughly
Practise regularly
Add physical measures only where proportionate

Mistake 9: Believing Emergency Services Will Manage Everything

In reality, emergency services:

Take time to arrive
Require information from the venue
Rely on staff to guide evacuations
Cannot instantly take control

For the first minutes of an incident, your staff are the first responders.

How to avoid this mistake:
Ensure your team is trained to manage:

Rapid decision-making
Evacuations
Lockdowns
Communication
Initial site control

Effective early action can save lives before emergency services take over.

Mistake 10: Not Keeping Evidence of Compliance

The SIA will expect venues to:

Show written procedures
Provide training logs
Demonstrate risk-based decisions
Supply security plans (Enhanced Duty)
Document drills and exercises

Without evidence, a venue may be considered non-compliant, even if actions have been taken.

How to avoid this mistake:
Maintain a simple compliance folder containing:

Procedures
Training logs
Drill records
Responsible person documentation
Risk assessments (Enhanced Duty)
Security plans (Enhanced Duty)

This shows regulators you’ve met all duties.

Summary

Avoiding these common mistakes will help venues:

Keep compliance practical
Prevent unnecessary spending
Improve real-world preparedness
Strengthen safety culture
Increase staff confidence
Demonstrate accountability to regulators

Ultimately, Martyn’s Law is about saving lives, not creating barriers. By avoiding these pitfalls, venues can meet their legal duties smoothly and effectively.

Get Ahead of Martyn’s Law Before Enforcement Begins

Avoid last-minute pressure and make compliance effortless.

With the implementation period already underway, now is the perfect time to prepare. We help venues put the right plans, documents, and procedures in place early — saving time, reducing stress, and ensuring smooth compliance when enforcement goes live in 2027. Take proactive action today.

How Martyn’s Law Will Improve Public Safety (The Benefits)

Martyn’s Law is more than a compliance requirement; it represents a major step forward in how the UK protects people in public spaces. By bringing consistent, proportionate safety measures to thousands of venues, the legislation is designed to strengthen the nation’s preparedness against terrorism, reduce casualties, and create safer environments for everyday life.

This section explains the key benefits of Martyn’s Law, both for individual venues and the wider public. These benefits are not hypothetical: they are drawn from decades of counter-terrorism analysis, lessons learned from historic incidents, and real-life case studies where preparedness has saved lives.

Benefit 1: Faster, More Effective Emergency Response

One of the most important benefits of Martyn’s Law is speed.
During attacks, every second counts. The first moments of an incident are critical, and prepared staff can take life-saving actions before emergency services arrive.

Emergency response improves because:

Staff know precisely what to do
Confusion is reduced
Evacuation and lockdown decisions happen faster
Communication flows clearly
Crowds move in the right direction
Critical seconds are not wasted discussing or hesitating

In several past incidents, delays caused by uncertainty or panic contributed to casualties. Martyn’s Law aims to eliminate these delays entirely.

Benefit 2: Lower Casualty Numbers Through Preparedness

Preparedness is one of the strongest predictors of survival during terrorist attacks. Simple measures such as:

knowing exit routes,
removing obstructions,
pre-defining safe zones, and
having clear staff roles have been shown to dramatically reduce injury and loss of life.

Martyn’s Law makes these protective steps mandatory for the first time.

Many attacks occur with little or no warning, meaning that:

untrained staff often freeze,
crowds become disorganised,
evacuation routes become clogged,
and communication collapses.

By structuring how venues respond, Martyn’s Law strengthens survivability.

Benefit 3: Increased Detection of Suspicious Behaviour

Terrorist attacks rarely happen spontaneously. They are almost always preceded by:

suspicious behaviour,
reconnaissance,
unusual loitering,
attempts to avoid attention,
bag drops,
or hostile planning.

When staff are trained to spot these signs, venues can often intervene before an attack occurs.

Benefits include:

Early detection of threats
Prevention and disruption of attacks
Faster reporting to police
Improved situational awareness among venue staff

Suspicious behaviour reporting has already been proven to prevent attacks in the UK. Martyn’s Law expands this capability across thousands of venues.

Benefit 4: Clearer Communication During Emergencies

Poor communication has been a major factor in past mass casualty events.
Martyn’s Law supports better communication by requiring venues to:

define communication chains
outline how staff notify each other
determine who contacts emergency services
establish how crowds are informed
provide instruction for non-staff adults (parents, guardians, organisers)

This prevents:

contradictory instructions
bottlenecks at exits
venue-wide confusion
delays in police response

Effective communication saves time, and time saves lives.

Benefit 5: Stronger Protection for High-Footfall Venues

Large venues such as arenas, festivals, and shopping centres carry the greatest potential risk.
These locations often attract:

large crowds
high visibility
symbolic value
predictable footfall patterns

The Enhanced Duty helps protect these environments by ensuring:

improved perimeter safety
proportionate physical measures
monitoring of approach routes
controls around access points
dedicated security personnel
structured evacuation and lockdown plans

This approach significantly reduces the attractiveness of large venues as targets.

Benefit 6: A National Standard for Public Safety

Before Martyn’s Law, emergency preparedness varied widely:

Some venues had robust procedures
Others had minimal or no plans
Staff training quality differed dramatically
Smaller venues lacked guidance
Security decisions were inconsistent

Martyn’s Law fixes this by creating a single, unified standard across the UK.

Benefits include:

predictable safety levels at public venues
consistent staff competency
nationwide familiarity with procedures
improved coordination with police and emergency services

This consistency is a major step forward for national resilience.

Benefit 7: Increased Public Confidence

Public confidence in safety directly impacts:

visitor numbers
ticket sales
tourism
customer loyalty
parental reassurance
community trust

When venues take safety seriously, the public feels more comfortable visiting:

events
shopping centres
cinemas
stadiums
concerts

Martyn’s Law increases confidence by ensuring every venue has clear plans, trained staff, and tested procedures.

Benefit 8: Reduced Organisational Risk and Liability

In the event of a major emergency, organisations are often subject to scrutiny regarding their preparedness.
Martyn’s Law provides a clear legal framework that helps venues:

reduce legal liability
demonstrate due diligence
show they took reasonable precautions
protect their staff and customers
improve their insurance position

Documented compliance provides strong evidence of organisational responsibility.

Benefit 9: Enhanced Collaboration With Police and Emergency Services

Martyn’s Law requires venues to:

notify the SIA
document their procedures
provide risk assessments (Enhanced Duty)
establish communication lines

This leads to closer collaboration with:

local authorities
emergency services
counter-terrorism specialists
neighbouring businesses
event organisers

In major incidents, collaboration can determine the outcome.

Benefit 10: A Safer, More Prepared Society

Martyn’s Law is not just about individual venues.
It is part of a wider cultural shift toward:

awareness
vigilance
preparedness
confidence
community safety

The law helps ensure that frontline staff, venue operators, event organisers, and the public are better protected, today and in the future.

Summary

Martyn’s Law is a transformative piece of legislation that improves public safety through:

stronger preparedness
trained and confident staff
clearer communication
risk-based security measures
early detection of threats
consistent national standards

Together, these changes significantly reduce risk, protect the public, and enhance the UK’s resilience to terrorism.

Frequently Asked Questions About Martyn’s Law

What is Martyn’s Law in simple terms?

Martyn’s Law is UK legislation that requires certain public venues and events to take practical steps to improve safety and prepare for terrorist attacks. It introduces proportionate duties based on venue size, focusing on emergency planning, staff training, and, for larger venues, appropriate physical security measures.

Who does Martyn’s Law apply to?

The law applies to publicly accessible premises with a capacity of 200 or more people, and events with 800 or more expected attendees. This includes restaurants, bars, cinemas, shopping centres, theatres, festivals, visitor attractions, and many other venues where the public can gather.

What are the two tiers of Martyn’s Law?

There are two levels of duty:

Standard Duty (200–799 capacity): requires procedures, training, and emergency planning.
Enhanced Duty (800+ capacity): includes all Standard duties plus physical security measures, risk assessments, and a senior responsible person.

What is a “publicly accessible premises”?

It is any place where the public can enter, either by buying a ticket, booking a visit, attending an event, or simply walking in. Examples include shops, restaurants, visitor attractions, entertainment venues, and public-facing areas of schools or universities.

Does Martyn’s Law require small venues to install CCTV or metal detectors?

No. Small and medium-sized venues under the Standard Duty are not required to install CCTV, scanners, metal detectors, or hire security staff. Their focus is on procedures, staff training, and emergency plans.

What does “reasonably practicable” mean under Martyn’s Law?

“Reasonably practicable” means taking steps that balance risk, cost, and practicality. Venues should implement measures that are appropriate for their size, layout, resources, and risk profile. It does not require excessive or financially unrealistic actions.

What is a Public Protection Procedure?

These are written procedures explaining how the venue will respond to:

a terrorist attack
a suspected attack
suspicious behaviour or objects
emergency evacuation or lockdown

All venues under Martyn’s Law must have these procedures.

What is the role of the Responsible Person?

The Responsible Person ensures the venue meets all legal duties. This includes notifying the SIA, maintaining procedures, organising staff training, and ensuring plans are up to date. Enhanced Duty venues must appoint a Senior Responsible Person with decision-making authority.

When will Martyn’s Law start being enforced?

The Act became law in April 2025, and there is a minimum 24-month implementation period. Enforcement is expected to begin late 2027, once venues have received guidance and had time to prepare.

Does Martyn’s Law apply to outdoor events?

Yes—if the event has:

controlled entry (e.g., ticketing or stewarded access), and
capacity of 800+ people

This includes festivals, concerts, fairs, and seasonal events. Open public areas with free access (e.g., parks) are generally not covered.

Do schools, universities, or religious venues need to comply?

Yes, if their public-facing event areas can hold 200+ people. This might include assemblies, public performances, open days, faith services, or community events. Compliance focuses heavily on simple procedures and staff training.

Will venues need professional consultants to comply?

No. The government and the SIA will provide clear guidance, templates, and training resources so that venues can comply without hiring costly external consultants. Most venues can meet their duties using internal staff.

What happens if a venue doesn’t comply?

Once enforcement begins, venues may face:

improvement notices
prohibition notices (temporary closure)
fines
possible legal liability

The focus of enforcement is safety, not punishment — but compliance will be mandatory.

Are temporary or pop-up events covered by Martyn’s Law?

Yes. Temporary or seasonal venues must comply if they:

expect 200+ people (Standard Duty) or
expect 800+ people (Enhanced Duty) and
allow public access

This includes festivals, fan zones, temporary bars, event tents, markets, and marquees.

What training do staff need under Martyn’s Law?

Training must cover:

What Martyn’s Law is
Recognising suspicious behaviour
Evacuation procedures
Lockdown procedures
Communication pathways
Roles during emergencies

Enhanced Duty venues require more advanced and documented training.

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