Martyn's Law

At Delta we keep on top of changing security law and policy so you don’t have to!

Here is a breakdown of everything you need to know about the UK’s soon to be enforced:

Martyn’s Law.

 

What is Martyn’s Law?

 

Martyn’s Law (The Terrorism, Protection of Premises Act 2025) is a UK legislation coming into force in spring of next year. Martyn’s Law is designed to better protect members of the public from terrorism at public venues and events. The law is named after Martyn Hett, who was one of the 22 people killed in the Manchester Arena attack in 2017.

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How Will Martyn’s Law Work?

 

This law is set out to improve protective security and event organisation across the UK by requiring that those responsible for certain premises and events consider and prepare for how they would respond to a terrorist attack. As well as certain larger premises and events, designing appropriate steps to reduce vulnerability to terrorist attacks. This means that next year qualifying premises and events should be better prepared and protected in the event of a terrorist attack. The Home Office’s published statutory guidance will help determine which premises or events are in scope of the legislation and, if so, which requirements they must meet. This law will also introduce a new SIA Regulator who will support, advise and guide those responsible for premises and events in meeting the requirements of this new legislation.

 

Which premises does Martyn’s Law cover?

 

Martyn’s Law varies in tiers for venues containing different amounts of people. The first tier measures between 200-799 people in a venue. This tier is designed for smaller venues like shops, restaurants, and entertainment spaces and enforces focus on low-cost, prepared procedures including; evacuation, event lockdown, communication, and staff training. The larger tier measures 800+ capacity venues. This tier is designed for larger venues, sports grounds and high-capacity events like big concerts. Venues who fall under this category require active assessment of terrorism threat and implementing reduced vulnerability measures. The measures include enhanced CCTV, bag checks and vehicle controls, as well as a well maintained compliance plan.

 

Who is responsible for qualifying premises? ​

 

The responsible person per premises is the individual, company or organisation with control of the premises for the purpose of their relevant use (e.g. the use of a venue as a sports ground or a hotel). So usually the premises manager of said premises.

 

Which venues don’t fall under Martyn’s Law?

 

The venues/event spaces that are not covered by Martyn’s Law include transport hubs, as train stations and airports already have established security measures. As well as public parks with no paid entry.

 

How will we see Martyn’s Law enforced?

 

The Security Industry Authority (SIA) shall oversee compliance to the law by conducting inspections on venues. The SIA can then issue compliance notices, financial penalties, or carry out criminal offenses for severe breaches of Martyn’s Law. We will also see organizations preparing for Martyn’s Law soon, as active enforcement begins on April 2027.

 

How do venues stay compliant?

 

The Home Office provides free statutory guidance, leaflets, and tools to help with venue owners or managers who are navigating this changing policy. But venues should start implementing public protection measures designed to reduce:

 

• The vulnerability of the premises or event to an act of terrorism

• The risk of physical harm being caused to individuals if an attack was to occur there or nearby.

 

Venues can do this by contacting security companies to help monitor CCTV, provide static guarding, bag searches and more. This could mean a higher demand for security services in spring of next year.

 

So if you need security around this time, plan ahead and get in contact today. We’re pleased to see a positive change for citizen safety in the UK and happy to be a part of it when this new law is underway.