Martyn’s Law: What You Need to Know

Martyn’s Law (officially the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025) is new legislation designed to improve public safety in the event of a terrorist attack. It introduces a legal requirement for certain venues and events to be better prepared and able to respond if an incident occurs.

The law was passed in April 2025 and is expected to come into force from April 2027, following a 24-month preparation period.

Who is Martyn?

Martyn Hett was one of the 22 people tragically killed in the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing. Known for his vibrant personality and love of life, Martyn’s memory inspired the push for stronger safety measures in public spaces. Martyn’s Law is named in his honour, aiming to make venues and events safer and better prepared to protect the public from terrorist attacks.

Who It Applies To

Martyn’s Law applies to public-facing venues and events – but only where capacity meets specific thresholds:

• Standard Tier: 200–799 people on site at any one time
• Enhanced Tier: 800+ people, including events with controlled access (e.g. ticketed entry or security checks)

This includes places like pubs, restaurants, markets, festivals, and event spaces.

Important: Most NCASS members will fall below the 200-person threshold, meaning they are not legally required to comply.

What Businesses Will Need to Do

If your business or event falls within scope, the focus is on having simple, practical plans in place to keep people safe.

For Standard Tier premises:

You will need to:

• Register with the regulator (the Security Industry Authority – SIA)
• Put basic safety procedures in place, including:
  • Evacuation – moving people away from danger
  • Invacuation – bringing people into a safer internal space
  • Lockdown – securing the premises where needed
  • Communication – how you alert and inform staff and customers

These requirements are designed to be straightforward and low-cost, focusing on awareness and preparedness rather than physical security measures.

For Enhanced Tier premises and events:

In addition to the above, you’ll also need to:

• Take steps to reduce vulnerability to an attack, such as:
  • Monitoring (e.g. vigilance, CCTV)
  • Movement control (e.g. barriers, directing people)
  • Physical security (e.g. bag checks, controlled entry)
• Document your plans and provide them to the SIA

Appoint a named responsible person if operating as a business.

Events: Who’s Responsible?

For events, responsibility sits with whoever is in control of the site during the event.

• If an external organiser takes over a space (e.g. a festival in a park), they are responsible
• If a venue hosts and manages the event themselves, the venue is responsible

Even if contractors are used (e.g. security or ticketing), responsibility still sits with the main organiser.

What This Means for NCASS Members

• Most small traders: No action required if your capacity is under 200
• Traders at larger events or venues:
  • You won’t be responsible for security planning
  • But you will need to follow site procedures, understand emergency plans, and cooperate with organisers
• Members who run larger sites or events:
  You will need to:
  • Carry out a basic terrorism risk assessment
  • Put emergency plans in place
  • Train staff so they know how to respond
  • Register with the SIA

Regulation and Support

The law will be overseen by the Security Industry Authority (SIA).

You can also get support from:

• Counter Terrorism Security Advisors (CTSAs) via local police
• Government guidance (to be released during the rollout period)

Do You Need to Pay for Advice?

No. The Government has been clear:
You do not need to hire consultants or buy specialist services to comply.

Free guidance, tools, and training will be available to help you meet the requirements.

What Happens Next?

There’s currently no requirement to take action, but businesses are encouraged to start preparing ahead of the April 2027 rollout.

A good starting point is:

• Understanding your capacity
• Thinking about basic emergency procedures
• Making staff aware of how to respond in an incident

Key Takeaway

Martyn’s Law is about being prepared, not overwhelmed.

For most NCASS members, the impact will be minimal. For those within scope, the focus is on simple, practical steps that help protect your staff and customers – without adding unnecessary cost or complexity.