Martyn's Law FAQs

Martyn’s Law will come into effect after a minimum 24-month implementation period from when it received Royal Assent on 3 April 2025.

This means the law is expected to come into force no earlier than April 2027, giving organisations time to prepare for the new requirements.

The Government has confirmed that official Martyn’s Law guidance will be published to support compliance, but it has not yet been released.

The guidance is intended to help organisations understand their duties under the legislation, including how to meet the requirements of the standard and enhanced tiers, conduct terrorism risk assessments, develop response procedures, and train staff appropriately.

The main requirement of Martyn’s Law is for organisations to have measures in place that ‘as far as reasonably practicable’ reduce the risk of physical harm to people who are at their premises during a terrorist attack.

The UK’s Counter Terrorism Strategy (CONTEST) is a comprehensive approach to countering terrorism. It encompasses four key pillars: Pursue, Prevent, Protect and Prepare. Together these elements form a multi-faceted strategy to safeguard national security.

Yes, Martyn’s Law applies to schools if they expect 200 or more people on-site at one time. Smaller schools with fewer than 200 people are not covered.

The enhanced tier of Martyn’s Law applies to publicly accessible premises and qualifying events where 800 or more people are expected at one time.

A publicly accessible location (PLA) is any place that is accessible to the public regardless of whether they have paid an entrance fee.

Martyn’s Law, officially known as the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, introduces new legal duties for those responsible for publicly accessible venues and events to improve protection against terrorist attacks.

It requires organisations to assess the risk of a terrorist act, implement proportionate safety measures, and train staff to respond effectively.

Named after Manchester Arena attack victim Martyn Hett, the law aims to create a consistent, proportionate approach to counter-terrorism preparedness across the UK.

The qualifying activities under Martyn’s Law, officially known as the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, refer to activities where the public has access to a venue or premises. These activities include:

• Entertainment and leisure – such as concerts, theatres, and cinemas.
• Retail – including shopping centres, retail stores, and markets.
• Food and drink – restaurants, pubs, and cafes.
• Sports – stadiums, arenas, and sporting events.
• Education – schools, colleges, and universities.
• Health – hospitals, clinics, and medical facilities.
• Public services – including government buildings and town halls.
• Places of worship – churches, mosques, and temples.

The legislation applies to premises with a capacity of 100 or more people, with stricter requirements for larger venues accommodating 800 or more people.

Under Martyn’s Law (Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025), penalties for non-compliance are structured according to the tier of the premises or event:​

• Standard tier: For venues with a capacity of 200 to 799 people, the maximum fine for non-compliance is £10,000.​
• Enhanced tier: For venues or events expecting 800 or more individuals, fines can reach up to £18 million or 5% of the organisation’s global revenue, whichever is higher.​

These penalties are designed to ensure that duty holders implement appropriate security measures to protect the public from potential terrorist threats.

Under Martyn’s Law, the responsible person is the owner, operator, or controller of a publicly accessible location. They must conduct a terrorism risk assessment, implement security measures, ensure staff training, and maintain an action plan to reduce risks and enhance preparedness.

The regulator for Martyn’s Law will be the Security Industry Authority (SIA).

The SIA, which already oversees the private security industry in the UK, is being given a new regulatory function to support, advise, and enforce compliance with Martyn’s Law for qualifying premises and events.

The detailed structure of its regulatory role is expected to be confirmed during the 24-month implementation period before the Act comes into force.