Find out more about Martyn's Law and how it affects you.

The public will be better protected from terrorism under new laws requiring many public venues to improve preparedness against attacks and bring in measures to help keep people safe.

The new legislation, also known as ‘Martyn’s Law’ in tribute of Martyn Hett who was killed alongside 21 others in the 2017 Manchester Arena attack, will make sure venues across the UK must consider the security of the public, and take steps to protect them from harm. This will deliver on the government’s manifesto commitment to strengthen the security of public events as well as the Prime Minister’s personal promise to Martyn’s mother, Figen Murray, that he would bring in this law.

Under the changes, a new duty will be placed on those responsible for premises and public events, requiring them to take appropriate action to strengthen public safety, with requirements reflecting the size of the venue and the activity taking place.

As set out in the bill, those responsible for premises will be required to fulfil necessary but proportionate steps, according to their capacity, to help keep the public safe.

This includes a tiered approach, linked to the size of the venue, how many people will be there and the activity taking place, making sure undue burdens are not placed on small businesses.

A standard tier premises will apply to locations with a capacity of more than 200 people but under 800. These businesses will be asked to undertake simple yet effective activities to put in place procedures to reduce harm to the public in the event of an attack. These could be as simple as training staff to lock doors, close shutters and identify a safe route to cover.

The enhanced tier will apply to premises and events with a capacity of more than 800 individuals, given the devastating impact an attack could have in these spaces. These locations will need to put in place measures such as CCTV or hiring security staff.

Why do we need Martyn's Law?

Since 2017, Counter Terrorism Policing assesses that there have been 15 domestic terror attacks in the UK (not including Northern Ireland-related terrorism), and agencies and law enforcement have disrupted 39 late-stage plots.
The threat picture is complex, evolving and enduring, with terrorists choosing to attack a broad range of locations. It is therefore right that the Bill requires a range of premises to be better prepared and ready to respond in the event of a terrorist attack.
The Bill is intended to improve protective security and organisational preparedness across the UK. The Bill requires those responsible for premises and events to take steps to mitigate the impact of a terrorist attack and reduce harm in the event of a terrorist attack occurring.
We are aware through independent research and engagement with businesses that, without legal requirements, counter-terrorism security efforts often fall behind legally required activities, such as health and safety.
Our expert security partners assess that individuals are more likely to take action that can reduce harm and save lives, if they have considered what they would do, and how, prior to a terrorist attack occurring.
Seven in ten respondents to the Protect Duty consultation agreed that those responsible for publicly accessible locations should take appropriate and proportionate measures to protect the public from attacks

What will Martyn’s Law do?

The Bill is intended to ensure public premises and events are better prepared for terrorist attacks and ready to respond. It will require them to take reasonably practicable actions, which vary accordingly, to mitigate the impact of a terrorist attack and reduce physical harm. In addition to this, certain larger premises and events must also take steps to reduce the vulnerability of the premises to terrorist attacks.
This will be done by mandating, for the first time, who is responsible for considering the risk from terrorism and how they would respond to a terrorist attack at certain premises and events.
Dedicated guidance and support will be provided for duty holders to ensure that those in scope have the required information on what to do and how best to do it. The guidance will be easy to follow, needing no particular expertise.
To support enforcement of the regime, a regulator will be established which will support, advise and guide those responsible for premises and events in meeting the requirements of this legislation.

To be in scope:

Premises that satisfy the following three criteria fall within scope of the Bill:

Premises as defined in the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill (a ‘premises’ is defined in the Bill as being a building (a building includes part of a building or a group of buildings); or
a building and other land.))
Wholly or mainly used for one of more qualifying activity
Meet the thresholds for individuals present at a premises

Events that satisfy the following four criteria fall within scope of the Bill:

The event must take place in a premises as defined in clause 3 of the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill
Host at least 800 attendees at the same time
Meet the ‘express permission’ criteria.
Be accessible to members of the public.

What you need to know about Martyn's Law

How will it work?

Standard tier

Persons responsible for a standard duty premises, i.e. qualifying premises where it is reasonable to expect that between 200 and 799 individuals may be present at the same time, will be required to:
Notify the regulator of their premises; and
Put in place appropriate and reasonably practicable public protection procedures (as set out in Clause 5 of the Bill).
These procedures are to be followed by people working at the premises if an act of terrorism was to occur at the premises or in the immediate vicinity, which may be expected to reduce the risk of physical harm being caused to individuals. This includes ensuring there are procedures in place to provide information to individuals on the premises and to evacuate, invacuate or lockdown the premises.
The requirements for standard duty premises are focused on simple activities surrounding policies and procedures, which are to be followed by staff in the event of terrorist attack or suspected terrorist attack occurring. The aim of these requirements is to improve staff preparedness and responses. There is no requirement to put in place physical measures in this tier. Furthermore, the reasonably practicable element will enable standard duty premises to tailor their approach to the resources they have available.

Enhanced tier

Enhanced duty premises and qualifying events are premises or events where it is reasonable to expect that 800 or more individuals may be present on the premises or attend the event at the same time. In addition to the same procedures as standard duty premises, persons responsible for enhanced duty premises and qualifying events will be required to:
Notify the regulator of their premises/event;
Put in place appropriate and reasonably practicable public protection measures that could be expected to reduce both (i) the vulnerability of the premises or event to an act of terrorism occurring at the location, and (ii) the risk of physical harm being caused to individuals if an attack was to occur there or nearby. For example, an enhanced duty premises will be required, insofar as reasonably practicable, to implement measures relating to the monitoring of the premises and their immediate vicinity;
Document the public protection procedures and measures in place, or proposed to put in place, and provide this document to the regulator. This document should include an assessment as to how those procedures and measures may be expected to reduce, so far as is reasonably practicable, vulnerability and risk of harm.
Where the responsible person for an enhanced duty premises or qualifying event is not an individual, they must appoint an individual as a designated senior individual with responsibility for ensuring that the relevant requirements are met.

The responsible person must ensure the requirements of the Bill are met for a qualifying premises or events. Whilst this person may be an individual, in many cases it is anticipated to be an organisation.
The identity of the responsible person will differ depending on whether they are responsible for a premises or an event. For a premises, the responsible person is the person who has control of the premises in connection with its Schedule 1 use/s.
For an event, the responsible person is the person who has control of the premises at which the event is taking place in connection with the use of those premises for the event.

To support enforcement of the regime, a regulator will be established which will seek to support, advise and guide those responsible for premises and events in meeting the requirements of this legislation.
It is the Government’s intention that the regulator function of Martyn’s Law will be delivered as a new function of the Security Industry Authority (SIA).
With its years of experience in increasing security standards around public safety, we believe that this is an exciting opportunity to strengthen the Security Industry Authority's work to create a body that improves public safety around people and places across the UK.
There will be a period of time prior to the implementation of the legislation following Royal Assent. We expect this period to be at least 24 months to allow for the set-up of the regulator and to ensure sufficient time for those responsible for premises and events in scope to understand their new obligations, and to plan and prepare.

The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill, also known as Martyn’s Law, was included in The King’s Speech on 17 July as part of the programme of legislation the Government intends to pursue in this Parliamentary session.

The legislation will apply across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, as national security is a reserved matter for the UK Government.

The Bill was introduced to Parliament on 12 September 2024 and is currently undergoing Parliamentary scrutiny.

Consider what you and your colleagues can do to make it harder for a would-be terrorist to carry out a successful attack by:

ExCeL Being alert to suspicious behaviour and activity in and around your site, such as people loitering or displaying an unusual level of interest in asking questions, filming or photographing.

Assessing the possible vulnerabilities of your site to various attack methods, and taking suitable measures to mitigate the risks.

Being security-minded in your communications, particularly online.

Encouraging and enabling a security culture in the workplace, eg. ensuring concerns can easily be reported and will be acted upon.

Considering how you and your staff would respond to an incident occurring inside, outside, or near to your building or site.

(Photo: CT operation during Formula E at Excel London July 2022)

For further info on the ACT programme, please visit the ACT website.

!!Buyer beware!!

Dedicated guidance and support will be provided for duty holders to ensure that those in scope have the required information on what to do and how best to do it. The guidance will be easy to follow, needing no particular expertise.
The Bill is not yet law and its provisions are subject to change during the Parliamentary stages. Neither the Home Office nor the National Counter Terrorism Security Office endorse any third-party products or providers. We continue to encourage referral to the ProtectUK platform for all guidance and updates on the Bill.

Action Counters Terrorism (ACT) training provides a good introduction on how to respond to suspicious activity.

Action Counters Terrorism (ACT) E-Learning

ProtectUK

The ProtectUK app sends real-time news and counter terrorism (CT) incident updates from UK Protect, contains the latest practical advice and guidance to help you protect your business, as well as information on how to respond in the event of an attack.

ProtectUK app

CPNI

The Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure provides awareness training and guidance in assessing and mitigating the security risks

Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (HVM) awareness training

Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS)

Additional guidance

As the law evolves AEV remains the channel for sharing information with members and sister associations.

The AEV security working group (open to all AEV member security professionals) meets monthly to review security issues such as talent, traffic management and anti-terrorism operations at venues. The group has actively shared thoughts on the consultation and submitted a collective view with the National Arenas Association (NAA) and continue to run Protect Duty awareness sessions for members across AEV, AEO and ESSA.

The latest member session, the presentation and recording(s) are available to AEV members through the member zone.

Representation

AEV members are also represented by current working group chair Henry Havis (Head of Security Strategy and Resilience, Excel London) on relevant groups hosted by the Home Office/Met Police.

The working group's responsibilities include staying ahead of related legislation and building relationships with key bodies such as CPIE, CPNI, CTBIE, NPoCC, NaCTSO and SIA as well as collaborating on information sharing and best practice.

The information contained on this page is updated as Martyn's Law evolves.

Multi association security awareness group (MASA)

MASA aims to represent the entire events industry and to enable greater and wider outreach of government guidance, especially around counter-terror measures and intelligence.

Find out more about MASA

AEV's malicious risk partner

CHC Global are independent malicious risk advisors offering a unique mix of advisory services, insurance broking and data solutions. They learn from AEV members to better understand their issues and be a conduit for informed advice.

They are members of the PSSA and SIA and operate in the Lloyd’s of London Insurance market. CHC Global also has a presence on the MASA group providing security and CT intelligence and on our AEV security working group to update members on malicious risk trends, the ongoing Protect Duty and global threats.

Download assets from a library of insightful research and guidance.

CHC resources

MI5 Director General Ken McCallum gave his latest update on the current national security threats facing the UK.

08/10/24

Speaking from the Counter Terrorism Operations Centre (CTOC) in London, he explained that the threat from terrorism, alongside ongoing efforts by autocratic states to harm the UK’s security, presented the most complex threat environment we have ever seen.

Click on the photo below to read his full update: