Do you know what this means for you and your business?
The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, also known as Martyn’s Law was passed to improve public safety by requiring certain public premises and events to be prepared for potential terrorist attacks, inspired by the 2017 Manchester Area tragedy and in memory of Martyn Hett. The law establishes a tiered system based on venue capacity.
Who will be in scope?
Premises that satisfy the following four criteria fall within the scope of the Act:
- The site meets the definition of premises in the Act – there is at least one building, or a building and other land;
- The premises are wholly or mainly used for one or more of the uses specified in Schedule 1 to the Act, e.g. a restaurant or a shop;
- It is reasonable to expect that at least 200 individuals may be present at the same time from time to time; and
- The premises are not excluded under Schedule 2 of the Act.
Enhanced Tier
If 800 or more individuals may be expected, the premises will be an enhanced tier premises unless the Act says otherwise. In addition to standard measures, these venues must implement more comprehensive security plans, risk assessments, physical security measures (e.g. CCTV, bag searches, vehicle checks), and appoint a designated senior individual to oversee compliance.
Events
An event that satisfies the following six criteria fall within scope of the Act:
- The event takes place at premises as defined in section 3(1) of the Act – that is, a building, other land, or a building and other land. This is a wider definition than that applied to qualifying premises as it also includes land without buildings;
- The event takes place at premises that are not already covered by the Act as enhanced tier premises;
- The event is accessible to the public;
- It is reasonable to expect that, at some point during the event, 800 or more individuals may be present at the event at the same time;
- The event has measures in place to check that attendees satisfy an entry condition. This is the requirement that, to enter the event, members of the public have paid, have a ticket or pass, or are members or guests of a club, association or similar body; and
- The event is not excluded under Schedule 2 to the Act.
Implementation Timeline
The Act received Royal Assent on the 2nd April 2025, with a minimum 24 month implementation period before it comes into force, meaning full legal compliance is expected from April 2027. During 2026, premises and event organisers are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the legislation, review existing security measures and plan for compliance, but there is no legal requirement to implement measures yet.
Unsure if you are ready? Not sure where to start or what this means for you?
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Please note – this page does not constitute legal advice and for up to date information please refer to the UK Government website.