What is Martyn’s Law?
Martyn’s Law is the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, which received Royal Assent on 3 April 2025. It places duties on those responsible for qualifying public premises and events to prepare for the possibility of a terrorist attack.
The name comes from Martyn Hett, one of the 22 people killed in the Manchester Arena attack in 2017. His mother, Figen Murray, campaigned for the legislation after the attack.
Which premises does Martyn’s Law apply to?
Premises that are publicly accessible, used for a qualifying activity, and where 200 or more people may reasonably be expected to be present at the same time. Bars, restaurants, hotels, shops, village halls, visitor attractions and sports grounds all fall inside that description.
Events are a separate category with a higher bar: an event qualifies where 800 or more people are expected and entry conditions such as ticketing apply. Capacity is judged on the number of people who could reasonably be expected to be present, so a venue close to a threshold needs to work that figure out rather than assume.
What does the standard tier require?
Premises expecting 200 to 799 people sit in the standard tier and must have public protection procedures in place: what staff should do to evacuate, to bring people inside and secure the building, to lock down, and to communicate during an incident.
The standard tier is about procedures and briefing rather than building work. Writing the plan is only half of it, because the duty is that staff actually know it.
What does the enhanced tier require?
Premises expecting 800 or more people, and qualifying events, generally sit in the enhanced tier (some premises types stay standard-tier even at 800 plus). Alongside the procedures, the enhanced tier requires public protection measures, so far as appropriate and reasonably practicable, covering monitoring, control of movement in and out, physical security and the security of information, plus a documented assessment of those measures.
All qualifying premises and events must notify the regulator. The Security Industry Authority is the regulator for the new regime.
When does Martyn’s Law take effect?
The Act is on the statute book, but the duties are not switched on yet. The government set out an implementation period of at least 24 months from Royal Assent so that premises and the Security Industry Authority can prepare, which puts April 2027 as the earliest point the duties can apply.
That gap is the useful part. Procedures written and rehearsed now cost far less than a scramble the month enforcement begins.
Who needs Martyn’s Law training?
Venue and event managers, duty managers, front of house and security staff, facilities teams, and anyone who might be asked to run an evacuation or a lockdown. The 30 minute course covers the Protect Duty, threat awareness, obligations for venue operators, protective security measures, emergency response planning, and how to report concerns.
Evacuation planning overlaps heavily with fire procedures, so venues often pair it with fire warden training, which covers assembly points and roll calls in more depth.
