What is Martyn’s Law?
Martyn’s Law, formally the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, is UK legislation designed to improve how publicly accessible venues and events prepare for and reduce the risk of terrorism.
Named in memory of Martyn Hett, it introduces a duty for certain premises and events to consider terrorism risk and take reasonable, proportionate measures to improve preparedness.
As of January 2026, the Act has received Royal Assent, but is not yet in force. Its requirements will apply only once commenced by regulations. Importantly, Martyn’s Law does not mandate specific security products. It does, however, focus on risk awareness, planning, and proportionate action aligned with ProtectUK and NPSA guidance.
Martyn's Law
Who does Martyn’s Law apply to?
The law applies to certain venues and events where members of the public are present, based on capacity and access arrangements.
It introduces a standard tier and an enhanced tier, with requirements increasing in line with scale and risk. Smaller or informal public spaces may fall outside scope but should still consider risk.
What are the standard and enhanced tiers?
Government factsheets describe two main duty levels:
Standard duty premises
- Generally apply where 200 or more individuals (including staff) may be present at the same time.
- Focus on public protection procedures, such as evacuation, invacuation, lockdown and communication.
- Intended to improve staff preparedness and response.
Enhanced duty premises and qualifying events
- Apply where 800 or more individuals (including staff) may be present at the same time.
- Require public protection procedures and additional public protection measures.
- Measures are informed by risk and the potential impact of an attack.
Full detail will be set out in statutory guidance during the implementation period.
Is Martyn’s Law fully in force yet?
Martyn’s Law has received Royal Assent, but is not yet in force.
Current expectations suggest commencement before April 2027, followed by a period of guidance and support before any enforcement action.
Organisations are encouraged to prepare now using existing ProtectUK and NPSA guidance.
Does Martyn’s Law require specific security measures or products?
No. Martyn’s Law does not mandate particular security products or infrastructure. It requires organisations to take reasonable and proportionate steps based on their specific risks, often focusing on procedures, training, communication, and planning before considering physical measures.
Who will regulate Martyn's Law?
The Security Industry Authority (SIA) will be the Regulator of the legislation, responsible for monitoring compliance and, where necessary, issuing penalties for non-compliance.
What should organisations be doing now?
Organisations should start by understanding their terrorism risk, reviewing crowd flow and access, briefing staff, and documenting proportionate preparedness measures.
Early, risk-led planning helps ensure compliance while keeping spaces open, welcoming, and operational.
Why has Martyn's Law been introduced?
The Act follows recommendations from the Manchester Arena Inquiry and London Bridge Inquests, and forms part of the Government’s wider counter-terrorism strategy, CONTEST.
Government assessments describe the UK terrorism threat as enduring and evolving, with attacks that are difficult to predict and capable of affecting a wide range of locations. The Act is intended to raise the public safety baseline by improving preparedness and reducing harm where people gather.
What is the Act intended to do?
The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 is intended to improve protective security and organisational preparedness across certain premises and events.
In summary, the Act:
- Introduces clearer responsibility for public protection,
- Establishes a tiered, proportionate framework,
- Focuses on preparedness, procedures and response,
- Recognises that larger premises and events may need to do more.
The approach is risk-led, rather than prescriptive, and builds on existing safety and security practice.
What is Hostile Vehicle Mitigation?
The National Protective Security Authority (NPSA) defines Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (HVM) as a protective security discipline focused on reducing risks associated with vehicle-borne threats, informed by threat, vulnerability and consequence.
Within government and NPSA guidance, HVM is considered as part of a broader protective security approach, which may include planning, design, operational controls, traffic management, communication and physical measures where appropriate.
How can preparedness be strengthened?
Government guidance consistently highlights the role of people and communication in effective preparedness.
Preparedness is strengthened where:
- Procedures are understood by staff.
- Information can be communicated clearly during incidents.
- Crowd movement and behaviour are anticipated.
- Planning reflects how spaces are used in practice.
These principles sit at the heart of effective event and venue operations.
Crowdguard’s Perspective
Crowdguard works across events, venues and public spaces with a focus on crowd movement, operational delivery and practical risk management.
Our approach reflects established best practice by considering how people use space, how information flows in live environments, and how risks are managed proportionately in real-world conditions.
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