Martyn's Law
Understanding the Protect Duty and preparing your organisation for new counter-terrorism legislation
What is Martyn's Law?
Martyn's Law, officially known as the Protect Duty, is new UK legislation requiring qualifying venues and events to implement protective security measures against terrorism. Named after Martyn Hett, who was killed in the 2017 Manchester Arena attack, the law aims to enhance public safety at publicly accessible locations.
The legislation introduces a legal requirement for those responsible for certain premises and events to consider terrorist threats and take appropriate steps to protect the public. This represents a significant shift in how organisations must approach security planning and preparedness.
Expected Implementation: The legislation is expected to come into force in 2024-2025, with implementation periods allowing organisations time to comply.
Who Does Martyn's Law Apply To?
Standard Tier
Capacity: 100-799 people
Venues and events with capacity between 100 and 799 people will need to implement basic procedural measures focused on preparedness and awareness.
- Simple terrorism risk assessments
- Basic protective security procedures
- Staff awareness training
- Incident response planning
Enhanced Tier
Capacity: 800+ people
Larger venues and events with capacity of 800 or more people will need to implement more comprehensive security measures and demonstrate ongoing compliance.
- Comprehensive security risk assessments
- Designated security personnel
- Security systems and technology
- Regular exercises and testing
Qualifying Premises and Events
Martyn's Law applies to a wide range of publicly accessible locations and events. If your organisation operates or manages any of the following, you may need to comply:
Entertainment Venues
Theatres, concert halls, cinemas, nightclubs
Retail & Hospitality
Shopping centres, restaurants, bars, hotels
Sports & Recreation
Stadiums, leisure centres, gyms, sports facilities
Public Buildings
Museums, galleries, libraries, community centres
Healthcare & Education
Hospitals, universities, colleges, schools
Events & Festivals
Outdoor events, festivals, conferences, exhibitions
Key Requirements Under Martyn's Law
Risk Assessment
Conduct terrorism-specific risk assessments considering your venue's characteristics, location, and potential vulnerabilities. Assessments must be documented, regularly reviewed, and inform your protective security measures.
Protective Measures
Implement proportionate security measures based on your risk assessment. This may include access control, surveillance systems, physical barriers, security personnel, and visitor screening procedures.
Staff Training
Ensure all staff receive appropriate training on terrorism awareness, recognising suspicious behaviour, emergency procedures, and their specific roles in security incidents. Training must be regular and documented.
Incident Response
Develop and maintain clear procedures for responding to security incidents, including evacuation plans, lockdown procedures, communication protocols, and coordination with emergency services.
Documentation
Maintain comprehensive records of risk assessments, security measures, training activities, exercises, and incidents. Documentation demonstrates compliance and supports continuous improvement.
Regular Review
Continuously review and update your security arrangements in response to changing threats, incidents, lessons learned, and operational changes. Enhanced tier premises must conduct regular exercises.
Preparing for Compliance
Organisations should begin preparation now to ensure readiness when Martyn's Law comes into force. Follow these steps to prepare:
Determine Your Tier
Calculate your venue or event capacity to understand whether you fall under Standard or Enhanced tier requirements.
Conduct Gap Analysis
Review your current security arrangements against Martyn's Law requirements to identify gaps and areas for improvement.
Develop Action Plan
Create a prioritised plan to address identified gaps, including timelines, responsibilities, and resource requirements.
Implement Measures
Put in place necessary security measures, procedures, and training programmes to meet your tier requirements.
Document Everything
Maintain comprehensive records of all assessments, measures, training, and reviews to demonstrate compliance.
Test and Review
Regularly test your procedures through exercises and drills, and continuously review and improve your security arrangements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What penalties apply for non-compliance?
While final enforcement details are being confirmed, non-compliance with Martyn's Law is expected to result in significant penalties including fines, enforcement notices, and potential criminal sanctions for serious breaches. The regulator will have powers to inspect premises and investigate compliance.
Do small venues need to comply?
Venues with capacity below 100 people are not currently expected to fall within scope of the legislation. However, all organisations should consider terrorism risk as part of their general security and health and safety obligations.
How is capacity calculated?
Capacity is typically based on the maximum number of people who can be present at any one time, considering factors such as fire safety capacity, ticketed capacity, or operational capacity. Guidance will be provided on capacity calculation methods.
Can existing security measures count towards compliance?
Yes, existing security measures that address terrorism risk can count towards Martyn's Law compliance. However, you must ensure they are specifically documented and assessed in relation to terrorism threats, and that they meet the required standards.
What about temporary or seasonal venues?
Temporary venues and events that meet the capacity thresholds will need to comply with Martyn's Law. This includes seasonal attractions, pop-up venues, and temporary event structures. The requirements apply whenever the venue or event is operational.
How JL Security Helps
JL Security supports organisations by translating Martyn's Law into practical, proportionate actions aligned to real operations. Support includes:
Readiness Reviews & Gap Analysis
Comprehensive assessment of your current security posture against Martyn's Law requirements, identifying gaps and priorities.
Terrorism Risk Assessments
Expert terrorism-specific risk assessments and practical action planning tailored to your venue and operations.
Staff Awareness & Training
Role-specific training programmes delivered online or through blended learning, ensuring all staff understand their responsibilities.
Compliance Integration
Integration with existing compliance and emergency frameworks, avoiding duplication and ensuring efficient implementation.
Event & Peak Period Support
Support for higher-risk events or peak periods where additional controls may be appropriate, including temporary security enhancements and operational advice.
Prepare for Martyn's Law
Don't wait until the legislation comes into force. Contact us today to assess your readiness and develop a practical compliance plan