What is Martyn's Law?
Martyn's Law is named after Martyn Hett, one of the 22 people killed in the Manchester Arena attack in 2017. His mother, Figen Murray, campaigned for public venues to be better prepared for terrorist attacks. The law became the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 when it received Royal Assent in April 2025.
The Act is being introduced with an implementation period of at least 24 months, giving organisations time to prepare before the duties are enforced. The SIA has been given the role of regulator.
Who does it apply to?
The Act uses capacity to decide which duties apply. In broad terms:
| Tier | Who | Main duties |
|---|---|---|
| Standard tier | Qualifying premises where 200 to 799 people may be present | Notify the regulator and have public protection procedures in place, such as evacuation, invacuation, lockdown and communication |
| Enhanced tier | Qualifying premises and events where 800 or more people may be present | As above, plus public protection measures, a documented security plan and a designated senior individual responsible |
There are exemptions and special rules for some types of premises, so check the official government guidance for your situation.
What "procedures" means in practice
For most standard tier venues, the focus is on people and plans rather than expensive equipment. That means staff knowing:
- How to evacuate everyone safely and quickly.
- When and how to bring people inside and away from danger (invacuation).
- How to lock down the building to stop an attacker getting in.
- How to warn and communicate with the public and with each other.
How trained security staff help
Door supervisors, stewards and CCTV operators are often the first to spot hostile reconnaissance or suspicious behaviour, and the people the public look to in an emergency. A well-briefed team can:
- Control entry points and carry out searches in line with your policy.
- Watch for suspicious behaviour and items, inside and outside.
- Lead evacuation, invacuation or lockdown when instructed.
- Keep accurate records of incidents and briefings.
See our event security, door supervision and CCTV monitoring services.
A simple preparation checklist
- Work out your realistic maximum capacity.
- Read the official guidance for your tier.
- Write or update your evacuation, invacuation and lockdown procedures.
- Brief all staff, including security, on their roles.
- Run a tabletop exercise or drill.
- Keep records of training and reviews.
Planning for Martyn's Law? Email us your venue details and we will talk through how our teams can support your procedures.
Email us nowFrequently asked questions
When does Martyn's Law come into force?
The Act received Royal Assent in April 2025, followed by an implementation period of at least 24 months before the duties are enforced.
Who regulates Martyn's Law?
The Security Industry Authority (SIA) has been given the role of regulator for the Act.
Does my small venue need to do anything?
Premises with a capacity below 200 are outside the Act's main duties, but good preparation is still sensible. Check the official guidance for your premises.
