WHAT IT IS
A Duty to Be Prepared
Martyn's Law is named after Martyn Hett, who was killed in the Manchester Arena attack in 2017. It requires those responsible for qualifying premises and events to take reasonably practicable steps to reduce the risk of harm from a terrorist attack and to be ready to respond if one happens.
The Security Industry Authority (SIA) is the regulator. It will be able to inspect, request information, issue compliance and restriction notices and impose financial penalties, and the most serious failures could lead to prosecution.
Key Dates
April 2025
The Act received Royal Assent.
April 2026
The Home Office published statutory guidance.
Expected spring 2027
The Government expects the duties to come into force in spring 2027. The Home Office will confirm the exact date through Parliament.
WHO IS IN SCOPE
Two Tiers, Based on Capacity
The tier depends on how many people, including staff, are reasonably expected to be present at the same time.
200 TO 799 PEOPLE
Standard Tier
Premises must have public protection procedures in place, so far as reasonably practicable, covering:
✓ Evacuation
✓ Invacuation, bringing people into a safer place
✓ Lockdown
✓ Communicating with staff and the public
800 PEOPLE OR MORE
Enhanced Tier
Premises and qualifying events must meet the standard tier duties, and also:
✓ Put public protection measures in place, covering monitoring, movement, physical security and the security of information
✓ Document procedures and measures, and assess how they reduce risk
✓ Appoint a senior individual responsible for compliance
✓ Notify the SIA
HOW WE HELP
From Scope Check to a Tested Response
01
Scope and Tier Check
Establish whether your premises or events are in scope, and which tier applies.
02
Public Protection Procedures
Design or review evacuation, invacuation, lockdown and communication procedures that work for your site and your people.
03
Enhanced Tier Measures
NPSA-aligned assessment of your security measures, with the documentation the Act requires.
04
Senior Leadership Briefing
Prepare the designated senior individual and leadership team for their responsibilities.
05
Staff Training
Make sure staff know what to do and can act quickly in the critical first minutes.
06
Exercising
Test procedures and decisions against a realistic scenario before you have to rely on them.
WHY US
Counter-Terrorism Experience, Applied Proportionately
Our advice is shaped by real counter-terrorism policing and protective security experience, including command of the multi-agency response to the most serious terrorist incidents. We recommend what is reasonably practicable for your venue, not a template.