Who it covers
Premises where 200 or more people can be expected at the same time, and qualifying events of 800 or more people with tickets, passes or membership checks.
A plain-English guide for venues and events
Martyn’s Law GuideWhat UK venues and events need to know
Martyn’s Law is the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025. It asks those responsible for larger public premises and events to be ready to keep people safe if a terrorist attack happens. This guide explains who it applies to and what it asks for.
Based on GOV.UK and ProtectUK guidance · Not legal advice
The basics
What is Martyn’s Law?
Martyn’s Law is the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025. It requires those responsible for certain public premises and events to prepare for a terrorist attack, so people can be protected if one happens. It received Royal Assent on 3 April 2025.
The law is named after Martyn Hett, who was killed in the Manchester Arena attack in 2017. The Security Industry Authority (SIA) is the regulator.
The Government has said there will be an implementation period of at least 24 months from Royal Assent, so the duties are not expected to apply before April 2027. Check GOV.UK for the confirmed date.
Standard and enhanced
The two tiers of Martyn’s Law.
What you must do depends on how many people can reasonably be expected on your premises at the same time.
Standard tier: 200 to 799 people
Notify the SIA and have procedures, so far as reasonably practicable, for evacuation, invacuation, lockdown and communicating with people on site. No physical security measures are required.
Enhanced tier: 800 or more people
Everything in the standard tier, plus appropriate public protection measures for monitoring, movement, physical safety and security, and security of information.
Qualifying events
Public events of 800 or more people with entry checks, such as tickets or passes, have the same requirements as enhanced tier premises.
Some premises stay standard
Places of worship and childcare or education premises stay in the standard tier even when 800 or more people may be present.
Getting ready
What venues and event organisers can do now.
Check your tier
Work out how many people can reasonably be expected on your premises at the same time, and whether your events meet the qualifying event criteria.
Write the procedures
Plan how you would evacuate, invacuate, lock down and communicate with people. Make sure staff know their part.
Review security on the day
For larger venues and events, look at monitoring, entry and movement, and whether trained security staff should be part of your measures.
How USSG can help
Security staff who know your procedures.
USSG can discuss event security, door supervision and stewarding, and officers briefed on your evacuation, invacuation and lockdown plans. For hotels and venues with regular visitors, see hotel security guards.
USSG does not give legal advice. Use the official guidance and, where needed, a competent adviser to decide what your premises must do.
Official sources
Statutory guidance on GOV.UK · Martyn’s Law overview on ProtectUK
Manchester and across the UK
Event and venue security enquiries.
From our Stockport base, USSG considers event and venue security requirements in Manchester and across the UK. Explore the areas we cover.
Common questions
Martyn’s Law questions, answered.
Short answers based on the official guidance. Last checked 04/11/2026.
What is Martyn’s Law?
Martyn’s Law is the common name for the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025. It requires those responsible for certain public premises and events to prepare for a terrorist attack, so that people can be kept safe if one happens. It received Royal Assent on 3 April 2025.
Who does Martyn’s Law apply to?
It applies to premises where 200 or more people can reasonably be expected to be present at the same time, and to qualifying public events of 800 or more people with entry checks such as tickets or passes. Premises of 200 to 799 people are in the standard tier; 800 or more are in the enhanced tier.
When does Martyn’s Law come into force?
The Government has said there will be an implementation period of at least 24 months from Royal Assent on 3 April 2025, so the duties are not expected to apply before April 2027. Check GOV.UK for the confirmed commencement date.
What do standard tier premises have to do?
Standard tier premises must notify the Security Industry Authority (SIA) and have public protection procedures in place, so far as reasonably practicable: evacuation, invacuation (moving people to a safe place), lockdown and communicating with people on the premises. There is no requirement for physical security measures.
What do enhanced tier premises and qualifying events have to do?
As well as the standard tier duties, they must put appropriate public protection measures in place, so far as reasonably practicable, covering monitoring, movement, physical safety and security, and security of information. They must also document their procedures and measures and give that document to the SIA.
Who regulates Martyn’s Law?
The Security Industry Authority (SIA) is the regulator. It can take enforcement action for serious or persistent non-compliance, including compliance notices, monetary penalties and restriction notices.
Do I need security guards to comply with Martyn’s Law?
Not necessarily. Standard tier premises do not have to install physical security measures. Enhanced tier premises and events choose measures that are appropriate and reasonably practicable; trained security staff can be part of that, alongside procedures, training and other measures.
Can USSG help my venue or event prepare?
USSG can discuss event security, door supervision and stewarding, and security officers who are briefed on your evacuation, invacuation and lockdown procedures. USSG does not give legal advice; use the official guidance and, where needed, a competent adviser to decide what your premises must do.
Planning an event? Discuss your event security requirements.