The Security Industry Association (SIA) has published new planning tools to help venues identify gaps in security and comply with the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, known as Martyn's Law, which comes into force next spring.
The law, introduced almost ten years after Martyn Hett died in the Manchester Arena attack aged 29, will require public premises where 200 or more individuals may be present to be better prepared and have plans in place to keep people safe in the event of an attack. Larger premises and events where 800 or more people will be present will be required to take further steps, such as having CCTV, bag search policies, or vehicle checks where appropriate.
The legislation follows a six-year campaign for change launched by Martyn's mother, Figen Murray, backed by the Manchester Evening News. The new law comes into force just before the tenth anniversary of the attack, which claimed 22 lives, including Martyn's, and left hundreds of others with devastating injuries.
Planning tools for standard and enhanced tiers
For smaller venues in the 'standard tier', the SIA's planning tool focuses on helping them prepare for evacuation, lockdown, communication, and moving people to safe areas in the event of a terrorist attack. Premises with a capacity of between 100 and 799 will be considered 'standard tier', and those with a capacity higher than 800 will be classed as an 'enhanced tier'.
Within 'standard tier', venues will need to undertake low-cost effective measures such as training, information sharing, and completion of a preparedness plan. For the 'enhanced tier' of bigger venues, the SIA has produced a template that can be used to document compliance with the new law and get venue bosses to think through the procedures they will put in place and their impact on reducing harm in the event of an attack.
Industry support for the new guidance
Laura Gibb, executive director of Martyn's Law at the SIA, said: "We have talked to many people at events and in premises across the UK and heard their ask for practical tools. They have asked for help for those in scope of Martyn's Law to work through their thinking, planning and preparation. These new materials are a first step. We will continue to work with those responsible for premises and events in scope to guide and support them in complying."
Henry Havis, business chair for the National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO), said: "One of the consistent messages from industry has been the need for clear, proportionate and usable guidance that helps organisations translate the requirements of Martyn's Law into practical action. These tools are an important step forward in doing exactly that."
The SIA is urging venues to use its new tools and provide feedback to improve them in the future. Havis added: "Martyn's Law is ultimately about protecting people. Use the period before Martyn's Law comes into force to understand your responsibilities, review existing arrangements, identify gaps, engage your people, and make sure procedures and measures will work in practice, when they are needed. Ultimately, this is about making the places where people work, visit and gather safer."
