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It has become more important than ever for public premises and events to have appropriate security measures in the case of emergency situations.
Martyn’s Law was drafted in response to the Manchester Terror Attacks in 2017, to avoid future shortcomings in security and preperations and equip more businesses to do their part in keeping the public safe from emergencies. It became officially recognised on 3rd April 2025 and is expected to be in force when implementation is planned to end in 2027.
"Martyn’s Law will help to save lives by making sure venues are ready to act if the worst happens." - Dan Jarvis MBE, Security Minister
The legislation will apply across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland to ensure consistency in keeping the public safe across all parts of the United Kingdom. It applies to any public premises that host 200 or more people at any time, such as hotels, pubs, shops and venues hosting concerts, screenings, conventions or sporting events.
Below are some of the key requirements of Martyn's Law:
Adequate Training
Staff must be trained on procedures and
safe routes
Security Measures
For large sites, this may include CCTV systems and security staff
Public Safety
Businesses must do their part to ensure safety of staff and the public
Escape Routes
There must be safe and accessible escape routes in the building
A premises can be on a standard or enhanced tier, depending on the number of individuals expected to be present at one time. The requirements that a premises must meet differ for either tier, and it is crucial that those responsible for a premises are aware of what tier they fall into and what they have to do in order to comply with the new laws.
While not all premises are required to follow Martyn's Law if expected attendance is below 200 people, you should be proactive by future-proofing the growth of your business and venue through implementing the new rules before they are implemented into UK law.
Requirement
Standard
Enhanced
People expected on site simulatenously at any given time
200-799
800+
Appropriate measures must be in place for public protection, designed to reduce the risk of physical harm
Evactuation procedures must be in place for getting people away from danger and out of the premises safely
Invacuation procedures must be in place in case people need to be moved to a safer location within the premises
Lockdown procedures must be in place for restricting entry or exit where necessary, including locking doors or closing shutters
Communication procedures must be in place to instruct and warn staff and people on the premises quickly
Security monitoring protocols must be in place, including CCTV, security patrols or people searching at entry points
Movement control must be in place, including secure doors, shutters, controlled access points and zoning
Physical security measures must be in place, including vehicle security barriers and other hostile vehicle mitigation methods
Sensitive information about the premises, layout, operations and security must be controlled and encrypted
Security arrangements must be documented and provided to SIA, as well as how they reduce vulnerability to terrorist acts and physical harm
A senior individual must be designated to ensure compliance with Martyn's Law. This individual must be involved in management or control of the organisation responsible
There are several types of products and services that a premises may want to look at having installed in order to help with Martyn's Law compliance. These include monitoring services, dedicated CCTV systems on site and emergency lighting. Please visit the articles below to find out more about the requirements of Martyn's Law and the technologies that you can implement to help reach compliance.