Protect and Prepare

Martyn’s Law, formally known as the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, was introduced following the Manchester Arena Inquiry and London Bridge Inquest, both of which called for the introduction of legislation to better protect the public.

The legislation was tirelessly campaigned for by Figen Murray whose son, Martyn Hett, was one of 22 people killed in the Manchester Arena attack on 22 May 2017. 

Martyn’s Law responds to Protect and Prepare and aims to improve protective security and organisational preparedness.  It requires certain public premises and events to take extra steps to ensure they are better protected and can respond effectively to keep people safe in the event of an attack. 

It introduces a tiered approach for public premises and events, linked to the different activities that take place and the number of people that it is reasonable to expect will be present at the same time. 

The Regulator of Martyn’s Law will be the Security Industry Authority. 

For more information about Martyn’s Law, please view Martyn’s Law Explainer.

Qualifying public premises 

Any public premises that is wholly or mainly used for one or more qualifying activities listed in Martyn’s Law - such as retail, food and drink, entertainment, sport and leisure, education, healthcare, worship or visitor attractions - and reasonably expect that at least 200 individuals may be present at the same time, at least occasionally, will have to comply. 

Premises that reasonably expect between 200 and 799 people present at the same time will be Standard Duty premises.  

Premises who reasonably expect 800 or more people present will be Enhanced Duty premises.  

Places of Worship, schools, further education and childcare premises that can reasonably expect 200 or more people present will fall within the Standard Duty, even if the number expected is more than 800. 

Qualifying public events 

Events that meet the following criteria are in scope: 

• The event is held at premises which are not already qualifying public premises.
• The venue is accessible to members of the public for the purpose of the event.
• There is a reasonable expectation that 800 or more people, including staff, will attend.
• There will be measures to check entry conditions e.g. ticket checks.

Qualifying events will also fall within the Enhanced Duty. 

The Responsible Person will ensure the requirements of Martyn’s Law are met for a qualifying premises or event.  Who the Responsible Person is depends on who has control over the site: 

For qualifying premises, this will usually be the person who operates the premises for its primary function, for example, the business renting a shop for a retail purpose rather than the owner of the building. 

For qualifying events, the responsible person has control of the premises for the purposes of that event, controlling security and/or admission. 

For further information about the Responsible Person, please see Terrorism (protection of premises) Act 2025: Responsible person factsheet.

Undertake ACT and SCaN training to increase awareness of what the possible risks may be and reasonable precautions/actions to take.

Be security-minded in your communications, particularly online. 

Assess the possible vulnerabilities that your premises or event may have to a terrorist attack and take practical steps to reduce these risks. 

Have plans in place so your organisation knows what to do in the event of an attack.  Make sure these are up to date and are tested regularly. 

Ensure security remains a priority across your organisation and that any concerns can be reported easily. 

Remain alert to suspicious behaviour on or around your site, such as people displaying an unusual interest in asking questions, filming or photographing. 

More helpful information can be found in the Training and Resources section below. 

Project Servator is a policing tactic that aims to disrupt a range of criminal activity, including terrorism, while providing a reassuring presence for the public. Project Servator is in operation in Wolverhampton.  It involves police carrying out highly visible and unpredictable deployments that can happen anywhere at any time. 

For more information please visit Project Servator | Counter Terrorism Policing.

Training 

The National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO) offers FREE Action Counters Terrorism (ACT) introductory e-learning on security awareness and good practices to counter terrorism. 

The National Protective Security Authority (NPSA) provides FREE SCaN (See, Check and Notify) training for a range of staff including customer facing staff, security managers and decision-makers. 

Resources

Contest

CONTEST is the national strategy for Countering Terrorism.  It has four strands: Prevent, Protect, Prepare, Pursue. Find out more about the Government’s Counter-Terror Strategy CONTEST. 

Terrorism and National Emergencies

For information about national threat levels relating to terrorism, please see: Terrorism and national emergencies: Terrorism threat levels.

Protect UK

ProtectUK provides up to date guidance, advice and training on security and countering terrorism. 

Twice a year, Protect UK publish a protective security awareness campaign to increase public vigilance, safety and reporting.  To help raise awareness in your organisation, please make use of the FREE campaign assets: Summer Campaign Digital Toolkit.

Security Minded Communications

The National Protective Security Authority (NPSA) provides guidance on how to use communications to help protect staff and visitors: Security-Minded Communications guidance.

Prevent Duty

Prevent tackles terrorism by intervening early to safeguard people at risk of radicalisation and offering them appropriate interventions. If you believe someone you know is at risk of radicalisation you can seek help through the Prevent programme. 

Martyn's Law Explained

National Police Chiefs Council - Run, Hide, Tell: Firearms and Weapons Attack:

Counter Terrorism Police - Life has no rewind Button: Action Counters Terrorism:

Remember! In an emergency, or where there is a risk to life, please call 999. 

If you believe someone is preparing to commit an act of terrorism, or may have information about a terrorist act, report it to West Midlands Police. 

The chances of being caught up in a terrorist incident remain rare, but it is important to be prepared.  

If you are caught up in an incident the advice is to ‘Run, Hide and Tell’.  

Run – to a place of safety. This is better than trying to surrender or negotiate. 

Hide – it is better to hide than confront. Barricade yourself in, turn your phone to silent and use only when it is safe to do so. 

Tell – Call police on 999 (if you are in the EU call 112).