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Protecting premises against terrorism (Martyn's Law)

The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, also known as Martyn’s Law, will require certain public premises and events to be prepared and ready to keep the public safe in the event of a terrorist attack. It establishes a minimum legal security standard of protective security at larger premises and events.

Who the law will apply to

For premises and events to be in scope, they must meet specific conditions and be used for activities listed in the Act. There are two separate categories:

  • standard tier - for premises that host between 200 and 799 people at the same time
  • enhanced tier - for premises and events that host 800 or more people

Qualifying events will always be in the enhanced tier where they host 800 or more people, are accessible to the public, and have measures in place to control access like checking tickets or taking payments.

What the law will require you to do

When the Act comes into force, those responsible for qualifying premises and events must:

  • Notify the regulator - the Security Industry Authority (SIA) - that they are responsible for their premises.

  • Have in place, so far as reasonably practicable, appropriate public protection procedures that could be reasonably expected to reduce the risk of physical harm if an attack occurs there or nearby. These procedures relate to:
    • evacuation
    • invacuation
    • lockdown
    • communication

  • Those responsible for enhanced tier premises and qualifying events must also have in place, so far as reasonably practicable, appropriate public protection measures that could be reasonably expected to reduce both the vulnerability of the premises or event to an act of terrorism occurring, and the risk of physical harm being caused to individuals if an attack occurs there or nearby. These measures relate to:
    • monitoring
    • movement control
    • physical security
    • security of information

  • Document the public protection procedures and measures in place, and give this information to the SIA.

  • Where the responsible person for enhanced duty premises or a qualifying event is not an individual (eg a company), they must designate a senior individual.

When the Act comes into force

The Act was passed in Parliament on 3 April 2025, and there will be an implementation period of at least 24 months. The Home Office will publish statutory guidance during this period.

Neither the Home Office, SIA, or the National Counter Terrorism Security Office endorse any third-party products offered by the private sector in respect of compliance with this legislation. The government’s intent is that those responsible for premises and events in scope can comply with the Act without needing to buy specialist services.

How you can prepare 

During the implementation period of the Act and whilst awaiting the release of the statutory guidance, you can prepare by: 

To sign up to our quarterly Protect Barnsley newsletter to receive updates on Protect Duty activity and Martyn’s Law, please email protect@barnsley.gov.uk.