Martyn's Law: Simple Compliance Guide for UK Venues

What Is Martyn’s Law and Protect Duty?

Martyn’s Law, officially known as the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, introduces the Protect Duty, requiring public venues like pubs, cafés, and community halls to improve security against terrorist threats. Named after Martyn Hett, a victim of the 2017 Manchester Arena attack, it was championed by his mother, Figen Murray, to keep people safe. Passed on April 3, 2025, the law helps small venues prepare for risks and aligns with the UK’s counter-terrorism plan.

The Protect Duty covers venues across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, using a tiered system based on how many people visit. It asks small venue owners to do things like train staff and check for risks, with the Security Industry Authority (SIA) checking compliance.

Why Was Martyn’s Law Created?

Martyn’s Law addresses security weaknesses revealed by the 2017 Manchester Arena attack, where 22 people tragically lost their lives as found in the following Inquiry and London Bridge Inquest.

Since 2017, the UK has stopped 43 major terror plots and dealt with 15 attacks, showing a “substantial” threat that’s hard to predict.

Figen Murray’s campaign, supported by survivors and experts, got the law introduced on September 12, 2024, with all parties agreeing. It makes sure small venues, like your bar or theatre, are ready to keep everyone safe.

Does My Small Venue Need to Follow Martyn’s Law?

Martyn’s Law applies to publicly accessible locations with 200 or more people (including staff) at any time, or events with 800 or more attendees. If you run a small venue, like a pub, café, restaurant, community hall, small theatre, or place of worship, you’re likely included.

Here’s who’s affected:

• Hospitality venues (pubs, bars, cafés, restaurants)

• Entertainment venues (theatres, concert venues, stadiums)

• Community spaces (centres, village halls, town halls)

• Retail and commercial spaces (shops, small shopping centres, exhibition halls)

• Cultural and accommodation venues (hotels, museums, galleries)

• Educational institutions (schools, universities, with standard tier special considerations)

• Places of worship (churches, mosques, hosting events)

• Outdoor and event spaces (festivals, markets, parks, public squares with ticketed/controlled access, 800+ attendees)

• Sports and leisure facilities (gyms, playing fields)

• Public facilities (libraries, conference venues, transport hubs hosting events)

  
  

Exclusions: Parliament premises, stand-alone parks without controlled access, certain transport venues with existing security frameworks.

Tiered System:

• Standard Tier: Venues with 200–799 people. Needs simple, low-cost steps, perfect for most small venues.

• Enhanced Tier: Venues or events with 800+ people. Requires more detailed plans, less common for small businesses.

• Exclusions: Train stations, government buildings, or private events (e.g., weddings) are covered by other rules (Schedule 2).

  
  

What Do Small Venues Need to Do for Martyn’s Law?

Standard Tier Requirements (200–799 People)

If your venue has 200–799 people, you need to:

• Register with the SIA: Sign up as the person in charge (e.g., the owner or manager).

• Set Up Safety Steps: Create easy ways to keep people safe in a terror attack, like:

  • Training staff on how to evacuate, hide safely (invacuation), or lock down.

  • Telling visitors about safety plans (e.g., signs or announcements).

  • Checking for risks, like open doors or crowded areas.

    
    

Enhanced Tier Requirements (800+ People or Events)

If your venue or event has 800+ people, you must do Standard Tier steps, plus:

• Detailed Risk Checks: Look closely at terrorism risks, possibly with help from experts.

• Written Security Plan: Send a plan to the SIA, listing steps like CCTV, barriers, or security guards.

• Appoint a Senior Person (DSI): Pick a manager to handle compliance.

• Extra Safety Measures: Add systems like cameras or hire staff, if practical.

  
  

Events with 800+ Attendees

If you host a ticketed event (e.g., a festival in a park) with 800+ people, it needs Enhanced Tier steps, unless excluded (Schedule 2).

Support for Small Venues

• ProtectUK: Free online training (ACT Awareness eLearning) and risk assessment guides.

• Home Office Help: Clear rules coming during the 24-month prep time (April 2025–April 2027).

• Local Support: From summer 2025, NaCTSO will provide local counter-terrorism advice.

• Risk Managements can provide all the services you require at an affordable price for small venues.

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What Happens If I Don’t Follow Martyn’s Law?

The SIA checks if venues follow the rules, with penalties depending on your tier:

Standard Tier Penalties

• Fines: Cash penalties for not registering with the SIA or setting up safety steps (amounts to be confirmed).

• Criminal Charges: Ignoring the law repeatedly could mean fines or up to 7 years in prison.

Enhanced Tier Penalties

• Big Fines: Up to £18 million or 5% of your global revenue for not making plans or picking a DSI.

• Daily Fines: Up to £50,000 a day if you keep breaking rules.

• Criminal Charges: Serious issues could lead to fines, up to 7 years in prison, or both.

• Venue Limits: The SIA might stop events or close your venue.

Appeals: You can challenge SIA penalties in the First-tier Tribunal, with further appeals to the Upper Tribunal. Not following the law could also risk your venue’s licence under the Licensing Act 2003.

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How to Get Ready for Martyn’s Law: Checklist for Small Venues

You have until around April 2027 to prepare, thanks to the 24-month implementation period starting April 2025. Here’s a simple checklist for Standard and Enhanced Tiers:

Standard Tier Checklist (200–799 People)

1. Check Your Tier:

   • Use GOV.UK’s Schedules 1 and 2 to see if your venue is Standard Tier (200–799 people). Specialist advice can clear up doubts for tricky venues, like multi-use spaces.

2. Do a Risk Assessment:

   • Use ProtectUK’s free tools to spot risks, like unlocked doors or busy exits. The Act suggests persons with appropriate training or experience can ensure your risk assessment is robust.

3. Train Your Team:

   • Sign up for free ACT Awareness eLearning on ProtectUK to teach staff about evacuation, hiding, or locking down. Expert-led third party training can provide a cost-effective way to upskill your staff.

4. Make Safety Plans:

   • Write down easy steps for keeping visitors safe, like exit signs or announcements and evacuation plans. You can do this yourself, but professional input keeps it clear and compliant.

5. Get Ready to Register:

   • Be ready to sign up with the SIA (likely 2026). It’s simple, but support from experts can avoid mistakes.

6. Stay in the Know:

   • Check GOV.UK and ProtectUK for new rules. Specialist advice can keep you updated without the hassle.

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Enhanced Tier Checklist (800+ People or Events)

1. Confirm Your Tier:

   • Check GOV.UK factsheets to see if your venue or event hits Enhanced Tier (800+ people). Specialist advice can sort out complex cases, like festivals or large halls.

2. Run a Detailed Risk Check:

   • Use ProtectUK or NaCTSO tools for a terrorism risk assessment. The Act recommends persons with appropriate training or experience for thorough plans, meeting SIA standards.

3. Train Your Team:

   • Do ACT Awareness eLearning and set up advanced safety steps. In-house works, but experts can tailor it to big crowds.

4. Pick a Senior Person (DSI):

   • Choose a manager to lead compliance. Guidance is clear, but professional help can get your DSI ready for SIA checks.

5. Write a Security Plan:

   • Send a plan to the SIA, covering things like cameras or guards. You can draft it, but specialist input makes it quick and compliant.

6. Add Safety Measures:

   • Set up cameras or hire staff if practical. Experts can suggest affordable options for your venue.

7. Register with the SIA:

   • Sign up when needed. It’s straightforward, but professional help ensures it’s done right.

8. Keep Updated:

   • Follow Home Office rules and NaCTSO’s Local Approach (summer 2025). Expert advice simplifies staying on top of changes.

     
     

Why Martyn’s Law Matters for Your Small Venue

Following Martyn’s Law isn’t just about the law—it’s about keeping your customers and staff safe. A terror attack can ruin lives, close your business, and hurt trust. With the UK’s “substantial” threat level and 15 attacks since 2017, being ready is vital. Compliance shows you care, keeps people safe, and might help with insurance.

References:

UK Government, “Protect Duty (Martyn’s Law) Consultation,” 2025 (gov.uk).

Home Office, “Martyn’s Law Factsheet,” 2025 (gov.uk)

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between Martyn’s Law and Protect Duty?

Martyn’s Law is the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, and Protect Duty is the rule it sets for venues to boost security against terrorism.

Do small venues need Martyn’s Law?

Yes, if your venue has 200 or more people (including staff), like most pubs, cafés, or community halls, you need Standard Tier steps. Check GOV.UK for details.

When does Martyn’s Law start?

The law passed on April 3, 2025, but you won’t face checks until around April 2027, giving you time to prepare.

What’s a terrorism risk assessment for my café/bar/restaurant/pub/hotel?

It’s a simple check for risks, like open doors or crowded areas, using free ProtectUK tools. It helps you plan for safety.

How much are Martyn’s Law fines for small venues?

Standard Tier fines aren’t set yet, but Enhanced Tier fines can hit £18 million or 5% of revenue, with £50,000 daily penalties.