What is Martyn’s Law?

Over the years, the UK has suffered various levels of terror-related incidents. The most recent is the Manchester Arena attack. To better protect people in public spaces, the UK Government has introduced the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill – also known as ‘Martyn’s Law’.

The aim behind the draft Bill was to drive home the importance of improving venue and event security against the threat of terrorism. Businesses that fall under the legislation must comply with the new health and safety laws. Any evidence of breaches could end up facing serious sanctions and financial penalties.

In this guide, we’ll look at what Martyn’s Law is, who it applies to, and how to prepare your business for the possibility of a terrorist attack.

What is Martyn’s Law?

Martyn’s Law is a legislative bill that requires venues to take necessary but proportionate steps in the event of a terrorist attack. These venues class as a publicly-accessible space; like a shopping centre, football arena, or town hall.

The bill was introduced to Parliament on the 12th of September 2024 and is currently undergoing Parliamentary scrutiny. Business owners must act accordingly to help mitigate potential attacks – reducing harm to the public.

Under the bill, these premises must be better prepared and ready to respond during such incidents. It’s also in compliance with health and safety requirements applicable to their business.

The new law isn’t about stopping terrorism from happening; or even asking employers to prevent it. That’s a job for the UK security service and the police. It’s about preparation – reducing the impact or aftermath of such horrendous attacks. Our team of experts have created a Martyn's Law free download, for you to access and understand the law in more detail.

Why is it called Martyn’s Law?

The bill was named after Martyn Hett; one of the 22 people who lost their lives during the Manchester Arena attack on the 22nd of May 2017.

Figen Murray (Martyn’s mother) initiated ‘The Martyn’s Law Campaign Team’. The team worked tirelessly to pass the law, demanding public safety becomes the Government's top priority.

The UK Government is committed to introducing the finalised legislation, after it was reaffirmed in King Charles’s recent speech.

Who does Martyn’s Law apply to?

Martyn’s Law applies to venue owners who meet certain legal requirements. The legal terms are still being discussed, as businesses have raised issues on potential financial burdens.

However, the bill states businesses must comply with Martyn’s Law based on three tier thresholds:

Enhanced Tier

If a business premise can hold 800 people and more, it’s categorised under the ‘Enhanced Tier’. These venues are selected due to their capacity which can be utilised during a potential attack.

Businesses under the Enhanced Tier must:

• Inform the Government Regulator of their premise or event taking place.
• Have reasonable procedures to minimise the aftermath of a terrorist attack or physical harm being caused.
• Keep a security document containing an assessment of the terrorism risk. (This must be provided to the Regulator).
• Appoint a person as the ‘Designated Senior Individual’ (if the current responsible person is a body corporate).

Standard Tier

If a business premise can only hold between 200-799 people, it’s categorised under the ‘Standard Tier’. Smaller businesses have their own legal requirements which are more suitable based on their capacity.

Businesses under the Standard Tier must:

• Inform the Government Regulator that they are (or have become) responsible for the premise.
• Have procedures in place to help minimise physical harm affecting people on your premises in the event of a terror attack.
• Ensure owners and workers respond to terror attacks through the proper procedures. (This doesn’t involve retaliating in a physical manner).

If a venue or premises holds less than 200 people, it counts as a non-qualifying premises. These employers are not legally required to perform the assessment.

Which public premises qualify under the Martyn's Law?

There are certain qualifying public premises or venues that are legally required to introduce anti-terrorism measures under Martyn's Law. These include:

Shops: Like food, drinks, goods, services retailers, etc.

Nightclubs: Like social clubs, dance halls, etc.

Entertainment: Like theatres, cinemas, studios, etc.

Childcare: Like nurseries, daycare centres, early year provisions, etc.

Hotels: Like hostels, holiday parks, guest and boarding houses, etc.

Hospitals: Like healthcare centres, GP surgeries, NHS Trusts, etc.

Culture: Like libraries, museums, galleries, exhibition halls, etc.

Places of worship: Like churches, mosques, temples, places of communal religious practices, etc.

Education: Like schools, colleges, universities, training providers, etc.

These venues must designate a senior officer to ensure measures are undertaken, and that staff are trained on terrorism protections.

Which public premises are exempt from Martyn's Law?

There are certain public premises with special status who have exemptions to the requirements for anti-terrorism measures. These include:

Transport hubs: Like airports, National Rail, Underground premises, international rail, and port facilities.

Parliament and Devolved Governments: Like the Houses of Parliament, Scottish Parliament (and parts of Scottish Administration), Senedd Cymru (Welsh Govt.), and Northern Ireland Assembly (or NI Depts).

Sports and Recreational areas: Like parks, gardens, recreation or sports grounds, and other open-air premises used for recreation, exercise or leisure. (This is unless access is controlled).

These three areas are exempt because they already have existing security procedures in place that are comparable to the Bill's requirement.

In some cases, certain premises or venues can class under an 'Auto Standard tier'. These premises are designated as 'Standard Tier' if they exceed 200+ capacity, even if they are 800+ they will not be designated Enhanced. For example:

Places of Worship: These premises are readily accessible to all, have no restrictions on entry, and few staff routinely present. Many already have mitigations in place, developed with local government and police to support them and reduce their vulnerability to terrorism and hate crime.

Education: These premises have existing safeguarding and safety policies in place, such as access control and evacuation processes. Higher education premises are not included; they are usually freely accessible to the public and open to events.

What happens if you breach Martyn’s Law?

All the new legislative duties under Martyn’s Law are intended to apply in proportion to each premises’ resources. Employers should acknowledge that not every venue works with the same budget, or even have the same layout.

Employers should consider the Terrorism Evaluation similar to a risk assessment. Think about what’s appropriate and reasonably practicable for your premises by looking at each area in turn – choosing the controls that work for you.

Regulators will be looking for evidence that you’ve taken the time to weigh the options and make a plan of action. Terrorism is ugly and traumatic, but it’s a fact of modern life in the UK. No-one can afford to ignore it.

Who has regulatory enforcement powers related to Martyn's Law?

The main regulatory enforcement powers and sanctions lie with the 'Security Industry Authority' or the SIA. They'll have the powers to:

Inspect: Inspectors can enter premises on 72 hours’ notice. They can also apply for a warrant if they're denied access or given notice would defeat the object of entry.

Gather Information : Inspectors can view documents/equipment and require any person on the premises to assist with the inspection. (For example, asking them to provide an explanation for documents).  They can also remove items, documents, or equipment as evidence; or for the purpose of further investigation, where copies are unavailable.

Sanctions: The SIA can issue the following penalties:

• Compliance Notices: Non-compliances must be remedied within a specified timeframe.
• Restriction Notices: Only for enhanced duty premises or events. Temporary closure, prohibit events from taking place, impose restrictions (e.g. limit attendee numbers). This is used in exceptional circumstances to reflect a significant public safety risk.
• Penalty Notices: There is a £10,000 penalty for Standard Duty premises; £18m or 5% of worldwide revenue for Enhanced Duty premises. These are issued after non-cooperation with a Compliance or Restriction notice. There's also a penalty of £500 per day or £50k per day for each non-compliance that continues after the penalty deadline.
• Criminal offence: Following failure to comply with notices.

How to protect your business from terrorism

When a terror attack happens, the key role of a qualifying business owner is to assist. Under the new legislation, you’ll have access to preventative procedures that reflect the nature of your business. As of March 2025, amendments to Martyn's Law present 6 main planning tasks for Standards and Enhanced Duty premises:

1. Warn people on the premises an attack is taking place.
2. Initiate a premises lockdown.
3. Evacuate the premises.
4. Call emergency services and relay information about the attack.
5. Provide first aid and fire safety equipment and arrangements.
6. Make neighbours aware of plans and alert them to attacks.

With the right guidance, employers can support their community during horrendous times. Let’s look at ways you can protect your business from terrorism:

Be alert and aware

Preparation is key when it comes to the safety of yourself and those connected to your business. With the right action plan in place, you and your employees will know exactly what to do should you face a potential terror attack.

Teach your staff to remain alert of suspicious behaviour and activities on your premises. This might include people loitering around or expressing an unusual interest in things. Like, taking pictures of your security cameras. If it feels odd, question it.

Assess your geography

Some businesses are susceptible to terror incidents based on their location. For example, if your premise is within a shopping centre or on the high street. Here, assess what the chances of an attack are based on your geography.

It’s always advisable to consider possible weaknesses within your venue. Think about how these points may become exploited and rectify them appropriately. Employers can then create a security procedure that suits their venue - protecting it inside and out.

Present security training

Whether you’re running a clothing store or hosting a festival, security should always be at the forefront of your mind. Employees are integral when it comes to workplace safety; that’s why they must have the right security training.

Staff should know what safety measures are necessary on a daily basis, as well as how to report certain security issues. Training can even include how to deal with incidents in a neighbouring business or public area.

Keep up-to-date with legal terms

It’s crucial for employers to keep up-to-date when it comes to security legislation. Some laws are still being drafted, whilst others are amended to conform with societal changes.

The government’s aim behind implementing Martyn’s Law is to support qualifying businesses. This means proper security procedures could be implemented with little to no costs for employers.

Get expert advice on Martyn’s Law with Peninsula

The UK has been victim to numerous terror incidents in recent times, like the Manchester Arena attacks. It falls to local business owners to offer safety and protection when it comes to reducing such incidents.

Peninsula offers expert advice on Martyn’s Law. We offer 24-hour HR advice - ensuring your business remains protected from potential threats and violence. Download our free Martyn's Law guide today, and protect your business.

Want to find out more? Contact us on 0800 028 2420 and book a free consultation with one of our Health and Safety consultants today.