Martyn’s Law: What It Means For UK Venues

Martyn’s Law, or the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, introduces multiple new regulations and guidance around safeguarding UK venues, guests, staff, and surrounding communities against the threat of terrorism. Upon its full integration in Spring 2027, it’ll arguably be one of the most impactful changes for event spaces to consider.

But while the guidance from the government is comprehensive, venue managers and event organisers can often find themselves grappling with different tiers, requirements, and staff expectations. That’s where ProFM Group’s guide comes in.

What Is Martyn’s Law?

Martyn’s Law (formally the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025) is an important piece of legislation that’s designed to improve public safety and terrorism preparedness in venues and events across the UK. It encompasses a range of different measures, split across two different tiers – Standard and Enhanced.

The law, given Royal Assent in April of 2025, applies to venues with a capacity of more than 200 people at any one time (inclusive of both staff and guests). It’s positioned to offer better protection for the general public through additional staff training, physical security, security technology (like CCTV), proper planning and communication, and mitigation measures.

The Law follows tireless campaigning efforts by Figen Murray, whose son Martyn Hett – for whom the law is named – was tragically killed in the Manchester Arena bombings in 2017. He was one of 22 to have lost their lives on that day, with countless more affected by the horrific events of May 22nd, 2017.

It’s taken Martyn’s Law more than 4 years to make the arduous journey to Royal Assent, but it’s an initiative that’s set to bring much-needed change to how events are secured and how the public is protected against the ongoing threat of terror attacks. Ms Murray began campaigning initially in 2018, with the Law receiving more widespread attention in 2021.

As it now makes those final steps into governance in early 2027, the Law is becoming much more of a pressing concern for both smaller, more boutique venues and large-scale concert halls and stadiums. However, one stumbling block is understanding which tier you fall into, and how that’s going to apply to your venue.

How Martyn’s Law Will Apply To UK Venues

The way Martyn’s Law applies to your venue depends on which tier your venue is in. There are two tiers – Standard (which covers venues with a capacity of less than 800) and Enhanced (which applies to any venue with a capacity of more than 800). Here’s what those different tiers mean.

Standard Tier – Below 800 Capacity

Applicable to any premises where there’s an expected capacity of between 200 and 799 people (including both staff and visitors), the standard tier is where most smaller venues will find themselves. Key examples include grassroots music venues, local theatres, and places that receive limited foot traffic (small museums or galleries, for instance).

The measures that apply to this tier are, per the SIA’s guidance on Martyn’s Law, designed to be “simple, low-cost activities”  – think locking doors securely, lowering shutters, identifying safe routes out of the venue, and brief but effective training for staff members. Martyn’s Law does not require Standard Tier premises to implement any physical security measures.

Any Standard Tier premises will also need to appoint a Responsible Person. This person will usually be the venue owner or proprietor, but may also be a senior or general manager if it’s part of a larger chain. As part of their duties, they’ll need to inform the SIA that they are the Responsible Person for that venue.

They’ll also need to ensure that the venue has reasonable measures to keep people safe – and mitigate the risks of people becoming injured or harmed – if an attack were to occur in or close to the venue.

Enhanced Tier – Over 800 Capacity

The Enhanced tier is where the most significant obligations sit, and many would argue the reason behind the Act being introduced in the first place. The Enhanced tier encompasses all venues with a capacity of above 800 people (including both staff and guests). Key examples include large-scale music venues, stadiums, theatres, and other event spaces.

There’s a notable exception to this rule, though – most schools will be part of the Standard tier, even if they have more than 800 students. We’ve explained this in much more depth in our report on whether Martyn’s Law applies to schools.

However, for those premises that do need to adhere to the guidance set out for the Enhanced tier, there are a few key considerations:

• There needs to be measures in place to reduce potential public harm from terror attacks. These are usually physical security measures (such as CCTV installations or a manned security guarding presence to conduct bag searches and act as a deterrent), but can also involve more in-depth risk analysis and assessments.
• There needs to be appropriate measures in place to reduce the premises’ vulnerability to a terror attack. This may be facilitated through additional staff training (or suitably trained security officers), effective searching measures (including bag and people searches), physical mitigation measures (like barriers, fencing, and organisational strategies), and a greater understanding of the security and terror landscape.
• There needs to be documentation relating to the public protection measures in place. Standards must be maintained to a high standard, and be specific to the premises they concern. The SIA will need to see these, and may require further information if the UK’s terror threat level changes.
• There needs to be a Responsible Person for premises and any qualifying events. As with the Standard Tier premises, every premises needs to have a point of contact who acts as the person responsible for implementing Martyn’s Law. As part of that role, they’ll need to let the Security Industry Authority (SIA) know that they’re undertaking this role.
  • This Responsible Person will also need to submit their documentation on public protection measures to the SIA as part of their duties.

The qualifier used by the Government in all this is “reasonably practicable”. Per the statutory guidance from the Home Office, this involves implementing measures that are measures that are built around their specific property. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to how venues and events need to respond under the Act, and solutions should always reflect the risk profile of the premises.

These solutions also need to be reasonably easy to implement, especially with the Law looming on the legislative horizon. 

When Does Martyn’s Law Come Into Effect?

Martyn’s Law is expected to come into effect in April 2027. We are currently in a transitional period that allows venues, event organisers, and staff members to get to grips with what the law will implement and how it might affect the way venues are protected going forward. 

That date is now less than a year away at the time of publication, and means that venues (especially those in the Enhanced tier) and events need to start planning with the Law in mind. Most will already start to have done so, but those who haven’t need to be aware of the possible repercussions that come alongside non-compliance.

While venues won’t face immediate criminal charges in the event of a breach, the British Safety Council states that this will be enforced through a “regulatory and civil approach” – the SIA’s role in ensuring compliance means that venues do need to be prepared.

Consistent non-compliance may result in the SIA issuing a compliance notice and, in more severe cases, financial penalties that are scaled to the venue size and its unique risk profile. Criminal convictions are reserved for the most egregious issues and are the last resort.

What Does Martyn’s Law Mean For Security Providers?

While Martyn’s Law is predominantly aimed at venues and event organisers, it also raises new challenges for professional security providers to handle. At its core, this places an increased importance on Action Counter Terrorism (ACT) training for security operatives, which is already part of the standard SIA licensing process.

New security officers will now have completed recognised ACT training, and any existing officers will need to complete a “refresher” course before taking on any event or venue security work. There’s also an increased importance from a compliance side of things, too – professional security providers must demonstrate that they’re able to comply with the law and bring that expertise to any venue or event security work they undertake.

Beyond that, Martyn’s Law places greater emphasis on the bespoke nature of security solutions. The Law specifically recommends that the measures are “reasonably practicable”, meaning they need to be fitted to your specific premises, risk factors, and the issues already identified.

A great example of that would be a city-centre music venue, like London’s Brixton Academy or Manchester’s O2 venues. Their location means that the threat to the wider public is much larger, and that queues and pre-event crowds will be in full public view. The nature of the performances also means there’s a more youthful crowd, which in itself can lead to issues.

It’s venues like these – and hundreds of others across the UK – that prompt that more refined approach to ensuring that the threat to the public is properly mitigated, that staff and eventgoers are protected both before, during and after their event, and that everything is fully documented.

The SIA’s governance adds a layer of importance. With the SIA already being the expert authority for the private security industry, leading initiatives like the Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS) and the associated Pacesetters accreditation, it adds additional weight to Martyn’s Law’s rollout and implementation.

Ultimately, though, for many security providers, it will be an additional layer that they’ll need to factor into their planning and assessment processes. That’s where ProFM Group lead the way, and where we’re already paving the way as Martyn’s Law is introduced.

Total Martyn’s Law Compliance With ProFM Group

As the ACS’s leading security provider, and a member of the scheme since its inception in 2007, we know what it takes to deliver a solution that’s fully compliant with the latest developments. 

Whether that’s changing restrictions in the COVID pandemic (which saw security providers adapt to unprecedented circumstances), or reinforced measures in the wake of changing terror threat levels, ProFM Group have been a consistent, adaptive presence throughout. That’s not set to change with the rollout of Martyn’s Law.

We’ve consistently championed changes in legislation, especially those on this scale, and our training, recruitment, vetting, and processes reflect that. All of our officers are fully SIA licensed and have in-date ACT qualifications, as well as extra training and expertise from both our CPD-certified training platform and our wider Operational structure.

Our view is that a more compliant industry is a safer one, and one that can ultimately offer public safety on a greater, more actionable scale. By choosing ProFM Group for your venue or event security package, you’re making that same commitment to quality, to safety, and to a changing future in event protection.