Update on Martyn’s Law – July 2026

On 10^th June NCASS attended The UK Crowd Management Association (UKCMA) Martyn’s Law Webinar “Prepared, Not Scared”. This was an excellent opportunity to hear straight from the people making the rules and offering the guidance. There were representative speakers from the Home Office and the Security Industry Authority (SIA).

The following key points were shared following the webinar to summarise the matters discussed.

• The Home Office were particularly keen to clarify differences in Scope for the Qualifying Premises and Qualifying Events. We have included below the following images from section 4 and 5 of the statutory guidance which determine whether premises and events are in scope.

Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025: Statutory guidance (accessible) – GOV.UK

Decision tree to determine whether premises are in scope of the standard tier, in scope of the enhanced tier, or out of scope of the Act

Decision tree to determine whether events are in scope of the Act

• The UKCMA were keen to stress that ‘reasonable’ and ‘practicable’ steps were key to compliance. The way to handle what is required of your premises or event is Risk Assess-based.
• The Home Office representative raised the issue of Responsible Person and although there is no requirement for any qualifications, if anyone felt that they needed further training to help their understanding there is the comprehensive training course “Level 3 Award in Counter Terrorism Protective Security and Preparedness”.
• References were made to Safety Advisory Groups (SAG) and we are reminded that SAGs should observe organisations and premises involvement with the new Martyn’s Law but had no authority to insist on any extra work or actions over and above that which the law already prescribes.
• We were reminded that it was not necessary to pay for expert advice or appoint an expert/consultant to gain answers to detailed questions. Most organisations should be able to comply by developing appropriate procedures, training staff, and documenting their arrangements. The Home Office have provided the website Protect UK which should answer almost everything.
• We were recommended to watch and share the National Protective Security Authority (NPSA) coffee shop lockdown video. NPSA have produced this short film demonstrating the types and ways to lockdown in a terrorist situation and how lockdown can be effective in reducing casualties and fatalities.

Please now watch this video

NPSA coffee shop lockdown video (five minutes):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=By2oXziPiZ4

Useful Resources and Further Information

The Essentials
Home Office statutory guidance (section 27), including chapters 4 and 5 on scope and the supplementary documents: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-terrorism-protection-of-premises-act-2025

SIA draft section 12 guidance (consultation now closed):
https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/martyns-law-draft-section-12-statutory-guidance

ProtectUK Resources
ProtectUK resources hub (infographics, animations, one page overview, top tips, myth buster, scope flow diagrams for premises, events and the responsible person): https://www.protectuk.police.uk/martyns-law/resources

The SIA
Laura Gibb’s blog, including how to volunteer for portal testing and pilot inspections:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/martyns-law-what-comes-next-and-how-to-get-involved

Martyn’s Law and the SIA’s role as regulator, including sign up for SIA email updates:
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/martyns-law-and-the-sias-role-as-regulator

NPSA

Marauding Terrorist Attack Standard and Café Lockdown Video Marauding Terrorist Attacks (MTA) | Emergency & Incident Management | NPSA

Training & Awareness
Level 3 Award in Counter Terrorism Protective Security and Preparedness (CTPSaP), SFJ Awards. This award is not mandated by the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025; it is instead set up and managed by NaCTSO as part of wider, non-legislative protective security activity:
https://sfjawards.com/qualifications/security/award-in-counter-terrorism-protective-security-and-preparedness/