The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, known as Martyn’s Law, has now received Royal Assent and is set to strengthen the UK’s approach to public safety and counter-terrorism preparedness. The Act introduces new duties for those responsible for certain premises and events to ensure they are ready to respond effectively in the event of a terrorist incident.

The legislation was first introduced to Parliament on 12 September 2024, followed by a second reading on 14 October. After consideration of amendments by the House of Lords, the Act was passed by the House of Commons on 25 April 2025 and has now become law.

Under Martyn’s Law, premises and events are categorised according to size. Those that can reasonably be expected to hold between 200 and 799 people at one time will fall under the standard tier, while those expecting 800 or more individuals – whether premises or events – will fall under the enhanced tier. Each tier carries specific responsibilities aimed at improving preparedness and resilience in the face of potential terrorist threats.

A new regulatory function, established within the Security Industry Authority (SIA), will oversee compliance with the Act. The regulator’s primary focus will be to support, advise, and guide businesses in meeting their obligations.

However, where there is serious or persistent non-compliance, the regulator will have powers to impose fines or, in extreme cases, close down premises or events within the enhanced tier.

Training and preparedness are central to Martyn’s Law. Organisations are encouraged to ensure that all staff receive appropriate counter-terrorism awareness training so they know how to respond should an incident occur. One recommended resource is ACT in a BOX, an immersive digital exercise that allows businesses to rehearse and test their response to a fictional terrorist incident either on or near their premises. This interactive tool is available to organisations of all sizes through the Protect UK platform.

To help organisations understand and implement the new requirements, the Home Office and Protect UK have published a range of materials. These include a one-page leaflet summarising the Act’s scope, requirements, and the roles of responsible persons and regulators, as well as a myth buster that dispels common misconceptions and encourages effective protective security without unnecessary reliance on third-party providers. These resources, along with official government factsheets, are available on the GOV.UK and Protect UK websites.

The Martyn’s Law Factsheet – see: Martyn’s Law Factsheet – Home Office in the media, summarises the requirements and includes the following:

• Who the responsible person is for qualifying premises and events

• What the requirements are for standard duty premises?

• What the requirements are for enhanced duty premise

Facilities will be expected to identify their responsibilities through a combination of official government guidance, Protect UK resources, and support from the new regulator within the Security Industry Authority (SIA).

Once the Act is fully implemented, the regulator will provide clear, tier-specific guidance outlining what premises and events in both the standard and enhanced tiers need to do. This will include details on:

• Risk assessments and how to evaluate potential threats;
• Staff training and awareness requirements;
• Incident response planning and procedures;
• Record keeping and evidence of compliance.

Organisations will be able to access this information through the Protect UK website, which serves as the government’s central hub for counter-terrorism preparedness. It already hosts factsheets, a one-page summary, a myth buster, interactive tools like ACT in a BOX, and ACT Awareness Training which help businesses understand and rehearse their responsibilities in realistic scenarios.

Further guidance and supporting content are expected to be released in the coming weeks and months. In the meantime, businesses are encouraged to review their current safety arrangements in line with the new fact sheets, identify who will take responsibility for compliance, and ensure that staff are equipped with the knowledge and confidence to respond effectively in the unlikely event of a terrorist attack.

What to do to prepare for the updated Martyn’s Law

• Decide what tier your facility will be in
• Consider giving your team time to complete the ACT Training
• Pass this info brief to your relevant team members to read

If you have any questions on Martyn’s Law and how it affects your facility, please email your Client Lead.

For health and safety services: see here.

For more information on Martyn’s Law: info@rightdirections.co.uk or 01582 840098.