Martyn’s Law Reaches Royal Assent

The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, commonly known as Martyn’s Law, reached Royal Assent on Thursday 3^rd April.

What is Martyn’s Law?

Martyn’s Law was created to prevent and reduce the harm of terror attacks at premises and event venues by improving security and preparedness across the UK. To reduce their vulnerability to acts of terrorism, premises and events will need to take steps to prepare for potential terrorist attacks, as well as know how to keep people safe should an attack occur. This will require premises and venues to fulfil different requirements depending on how many individuals they expect to be present.

Why was Martyn’s Law introduced?

Martyn Hett was one of the 22 people sadly killed in the Manchester Arena bombing in 2017. Martyn’s mother, Figen Murray, started and led the campaign for this new law in 2019. The reasoning behind this campaign was to ensure that public places become better prepared for terrorist attacks, reducing the risk of physical harm and impact.  

Details on its progress

Royal Assent is the last requirement needed before a parliamentary bill becomes law. The bill received Royal Assent on 3^rd April 2025, from King Charles, providing formal approval for it to become an Act of Parliament (law).

Whilst this reached Royal Assent earlier this month and the law is formally in place, the provisions will not come into force for a couple of years. However, there will be an implementation period of at least 24 months. This period will allow those responsible for premises and events sufficient time to understand their new obligations under this law and take action accordingly. 

What businesses will have to do to prepare and comply?

There will be a tiered approach concerning the requirements of certain premises and events. This will be based on the number of people reasonably expected to be present simultaneously at a premises or event venue.

Standard Tier

This tier refers to premises with a capacity of 200-799 present individuals (including staff).

The requirements are simpler for this tier, with no requirement to have physical measures in place. They are typically low-cost activities designed to ensure those working at premises or events are better able to reduce harm and save lives in the event of an attack. Some of these activities may include:

• Undergo evacuation training
• Locking doors
• Closing shutters
• Identifying safe routes to cover in the event of an attack

The Home Office has stated that persons responsible for the standard tier premise should:

• Notify the regular, the Security Industry Authority (SIA), that they are responsible for their premises
• Have in place, so far as reasonably practicable, appropriate public protection procedures that could be reasonably expected to reduce the risk of physical harm being caused to individuals.

Enhanced Tier

This tier refers to premises with a capacity of more than 800 people (including staff) and qualifying public events

They will have the same requirements mentioned in the standard tier. They must also, so far as is reasonably practicable, put in place suitable public protection measures to minimise their vulnerability to terrorism and the risk of physical harm if an attack occurs. Some of these protection measures may include:

• Bag search policies
• CCTV
• Monitoring and vehicle checks

The Home Office has stated that persons responsible for enhanced tier premises and qualifying events will be required to:

• Notify the SIA that they are responsible for the premises or event
• Have in place, so far as reasonably practicable, appropriate public protection procedures that could be expected to reduce the risk of physical harm being caused to individuals.
• Have in place, so far as reasonably practicable, appropriate measures that would reasonably be expected to reduce both (i) the vulnerability of the premises or event to an act of terrorism occurring, and (ii) the risk of physical harm being caused to individuals if an attack was to occur there or nearby.
• Document the public protection procedures and measures in place or proposed to be put in place, and provide this document to the SIA.
• Where the responsible person is not an individual, they must designate a senior individual with responsibility for ensuring that the responsible person complies with these requirements.

Implementing measures for Martyn’s Law

Businesses to which this new legislation will apply have no requirement to comply until the legislation comes into force after the implementation period. However, some may choose to begin implementing measures in readiness for it to become law. The Home Office are expected to publish statutory guidance during the 24-month implementation period to help those responsible understand their requirements.

Clear guidance will be provided to duty holders to ensure all parties understand their responsibilities and how to fulfil them. This guidance is intended to be straightforward, requiring no specialist knowledge. A dedicated regulator will be established to support the law’s enforcement, offering advice, support, and direction to those responsible for managing premises and events

It is important to be aware of this update and, if relevant to your business, begin to consider how you can prepare for this change. Having this update on your radar and implementing changes will not only improve the safety of your premises or venues but also ensure compliance in the future when this becomes law.

To find out more information or to discuss your obligations concerning Martyn’s Law, please get in contact with our team of experts.

T: 0330 107 1037

E: contact@hpc.uk.com

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