Martyn's Law
The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, explained clearly
Martyn's Law received Royal Assent on 3 April 2025. It requires certain publicly accessible venues and events across the United Kingdom to consider the threat of terrorism and take proportionate steps to keep people safe.
A law born from loss
The law is named after Martyn Hett, one of the 22 people killed in the 2017 Manchester Arena attack. It exists thanks to the tireless campaign of his mother, Figen Murray, to make venues safer for everyone.
Who it applies to
Premises and events where 200 or more people may reasonably be present fall within scope. This includes theatres, arenas, stadiums, shopping centres, places of worship, conference venues and outdoor events.
Two tiers of duty
The standard tier (200–799 capacity) requires notification to the regulator and public protection procedures such as evacuation, invacuation, lockdown and communication. The enhanced tier (800+) adds documented risk assessments and security measures.
Timeline and regulator
The Security Industry Authority (SIA) acts as regulator. An implementation period of at least 24 months after Royal Assent gives duty holders time to prepare, with official guidance published through ProtectUK.