Martyn’s Law: What the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act Means for Your Business
The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, commonly known as Martyn’s Law, marks a significant shift in how organisations across the UK approach public safety. For businesses operating publicly accessible premises, this is not just another compliance exercise. It’s a move toward embedding practical, life-saving preparedness into everyday operations.
At its core, the legislation is about one simple idea: being ready to respond effectively if the worst happens.
A shift from prevention to preparedness
Historically, counter-terrorism efforts have focused heavily on prevention—intelligence, policing, and disruption. Martyn’s Law introduces a complementary expectation for businesses: you must be prepared to act immediately to protect people on your premises.
This doesn’t mean turning your site into a fortress. It means ensuring that your people know what to do in those critical first moments before emergency services arrive.
Who does the law apply to?
The Act applies to publicly accessible premises and events with a capacity of 200 or more people.
There are two tiers of responsibility:
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Standard Duty (200–799 capacity): Focused on preparedness and response
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Enhanced Duty (800+ capacity): Adds requirements around risk assessment and physical security measures
For many organisations, especially those with diverse portfolios, this means managing different levels of responsibility across multiple sites.
What are businesses expected to do?
The requirements are deliberately proportionate, but they are clear. In practical terms, organisations must ensure:
1. Clear, actionable plans are in place
Every site should have defined procedures for:
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Evacuation
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Lockdown
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Communicating with staff and the public
These plans should be simple, accessible, and tailored to the environment.
2. Staff are trained to respond—not just informed
Policies alone are not enough. Staff must be able to:
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Recognise potential threats
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Act quickly and confidently
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Communicate clearly under pressure
This is where many organisations will be tested. The difference between a plan on paper and a plan that works in reality is practice and understanding.
3. Responsibility is clearly assigned
Each premises must have a designated “responsible person” accountable for compliance.
This includes:
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Ensuring plans are in place and up to date
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Overseeing staff preparedness
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Engaging with the regulator where required
Clarity here is critical, uncertainty around ownership often leads to gaps in delivery.
4. Larger sites take additional protective steps
For higher-capacity venues, there is an expectation to go further by:
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Assessing risks formally
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Implementing proportionate security measures (e.g. CCTV, access control)
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Maintaining documented security procedures
These measures should reflect the specific risks of the site, not a one-size-fits-all approach.
The role of the Security Industry Authority (SIA)
The SIA will act as the regulator for Martyn’s Law. Their role will include:
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Providing guidance and support
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Reviewing compliance
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Taking enforcement action where necessary
The initial approach is expected to be supportive, but organisations should be prepared to demonstrate clear, auditable evidence of compliance.
What this means for your organisation
The most important takeaway is this:
Compliance is not about documentation, it’s about capability.
In a real incident, outcomes will depend on:
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How quickly staff recognise what’s happening
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How confidently they act
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How clearly they communicate
The organisations that perform well will be those that treat this as an operational readiness issue, not just a regulatory requirement.
Practical steps you can take now
Although full implementation is expected over the next couple of years, there is a clear expectation that businesses begin preparing now.
A sensible starting point includes:
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Reviewing which of your sites fall within scope
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Identifying responsible persons for each location
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Assessing existing emergency procedures
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Introducing basic awareness and response training
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Testing plans through simple exercises or walkthroughs
These steps are not complex, but they require consistency and follow-through.
Final thought
Martyn’s Law is ultimately about protecting people. It recognises that in the moments that matter most, your staff are the first line of response.
Getting this right doesn’t require overcomplication. It requires clarity, preparation, and the confidence to act when it counts.
If you would like support in assessing your current readiness or implementing practical, proportionate measures across your sites, Lodge Security can help guide you through the process.