Last updated: August 2026 to reflect the published statutory guidance and refreshed ACT Awareness e-Learning.
Martyn’s Law, formally known as the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, is intended to improve security and preparedness at certain publicly accessible premises and events across the UK.
The legislation is named in memory of Martyn Hett, one of the 22 people killed in the Manchester Arena attack in 2017. Martyn’s mother, Figen Murray OBE, has campaigned tirelessly for measures that help venues and event organisers prepare for a possible terrorist attack.
The Act received Royal Assent on 3 April 2025. It is not yet fully in force, and the Government has allowed an implementation period of at least 24 months. An exact commencement date will be confirmed separately.
However, the official statutory guidance has now been published, giving responsible organisations time to understand the requirements and begin preparing.
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What Is the Purpose of Martyn’s Law?
The purpose of Martyn’s Law is to ensure that those responsible for certain premises and events consider what they would do if a terrorist attack occurred at their location or in its immediate vicinity.
The legislation concentrates on proportionate preparedness rather than expecting every organisation to make expensive physical changes.
Depending on the premises or event, preparation may include:
- Evacuation procedures
- Invacuation procedures
- Lockdown arrangements
- Emergency communication procedures
- Familiarising staff and volunteers with agreed procedures
- Considering vulnerabilities and proportionate protective measures
- Coordinating with venues, organisers and contracted suppliers
The appropriate arrangements will depend on the size, layout and use of the premises or event.
Is Your Premises or Event Within Scope?
The rules for qualifying premises and qualifying events are different. Attendance numbers include staff and workers as well as members of the public.
Standard-tier premises: 200–799 people
Premises may fall within the standard tier when it is reasonable to expect between 200 and 799 individuals to be present at the same time, from time to time.
The premises must also meet the other qualifying conditions in the Act, including being wholly or mainly used for one or more of the activities listed in Schedule 1.
The standard tier can include premises used for entertainment, leisure, food and drink, retail, sport and other publicly accessible activities.
The threshold concerns the number of people reasonably expected to be present, not simply the building’s maximum licensed capacity.
Enhanced-tier premises: 800 or more people
Qualifying premises may enter the enhanced tier when it is reasonable to expect 800 or more individuals to be present at the same time, from time to time.
Enhanced-tier premises have additional responsibilities because of their greater size or complexity. These include considering appropriate public protection measures, documenting compliance and designating a senior individual when the responsible person is an organisation rather than an individual.
Some premises, including qualifying places of worship and certain education settings, receive special treatment under the Act and remain within the standard tier even where 800 or more people may be present.
Qualifying events: 800 or more people
A temporary event does not automatically enter the standard tier because 200 people are expected to attend.
For an event to be a qualifying event under Martyn’s Law, it must meet all the relevant legal criteria. These broadly include:
- Taking place at qualifying premises, which can include a building, land or a combination of both
- Being accessible to members of the public
- Having 800 or more individuals, including staff, reasonably expected to be present at the same time
- Having measures that check whether attendees satisfy a condition of entry, such as holding a ticket, pass or membership
- Not being held at premises excluded from the qualifying-event provisions
An open-access event without checks on entry will not ordinarily qualify as an event under these criteria. However, particular premises or controlled areas forming part of a larger event may still need to be assessed separately.
Organisers should always refer to the official statutory guidance when deciding whether premises or an event fall within scope.
Who Is the Responsible Person?
For qualifying premises, the responsible person is generally the individual or organisation with control of the premises for its qualifying use.
For a qualifying event, it is the individual or organisation with control of the premises in connection with their use for that event. This may be the event organiser rather than the landowner or usual venue operator, depending on the contractual and operational arrangements.
Responsibility cannot simply be passed to a contracted supplier. However, tasks can be delegated, and organisers, venue operators and suppliers may need to cooperate and coordinate with one another.
Contracts should clearly establish:
- Who controls the event site
- Who can make emergency decisions
- Who is authorised to request a public announcement
- Who contacts the emergency services
- How stewards and suppliers will receive instructions
- Who is responsible for testing communication systems
- Which organisation maintains the overall emergency plan
Standard-Tier Requirements
Once the Act comes fully into force, the responsible person for standard-tier premises will need to notify the Security Industry Authority when they become or cease to be responsible.
They must also ensure that appropriate and reasonably practicable public protection procedures are in place.
The four types of procedure are:
Evacuation
Moving people away from danger by directing them out of all or part of the premises.
Invacuation
Moving people to a safer place within the premises or bringing people inside when the danger is outside.
Lockdown
Restricting access, exit or movement within all or part of the premises to help keep people away from danger.
Communication
Providing clear information and instructions to staff and members of the public as quickly as possible.
Standard-tier premises are not legally required to submit a formal compliance document. Nevertheless, recording the agreed procedures is sensible because it helps staff understand, communicate and test them effectively.
Enhanced-Tier and Qualifying-Event Requirements
Enhanced-tier premises and qualifying events must meet the public protection procedure requirements and consider additional public protection measures.
These measures relate to:
- Monitoring premises and the immediate vicinity
- Controlling the movement of people
- Protecting physical security
- Protecting information that could assist an attacker
Any measures must be appropriate and reasonably practicable for that particular location. Martyn’s Law does not automatically require every organiser to install CCTV, introduce bag searches or purchase expensive barriers.
Enhanced-tier responsible persons must also:
- Keep relevant public protection measures under review
- Prepare a compliance document
- Submit the required document to the SIA
- Designate a senior individual where the responsible person is an organisation
- Coordinate and cooperate with other responsible parties where required
Why Communication Is So Important
Communication is one of the four public protection procedures specifically identified in the Act.
An effective communication procedure should consider:
- What information needs to be given
- Who is authorised to make an announcement
- Who needs to receive the information
- How staff will communicate with event control
- Whether announcements will reach every relevant area
- What backup arrangements are available
- Whether messages are suitable for evacuation, invacuation or lockdown
- How systems and procedures will be tested before an event
Communication can include verbal instructions, signage, briefings, alarms, radios, loudhailers and audio broadcasts.
For large outdoor events, organisers may need to consider whether important announcements can be heard in areas such as:
- Main show rings
- Secondary arenas
- Trade and catering areas
- Entrances and exits
- Car parks
- Camping fields
- Competitor areas
- Public gathering points
A public-address system does not in itself make an event compliant. It can, however, form an important part of the organiser’s overall communication procedure when it has suitable coverage, agreed operating arrangements and appropriate backup provisions.
Refreshed ACT Awareness Training Completed in 2026
Richard Acklam of R & J Public Address Hire has completed the newly refreshed ACT Awareness e-Learning course provided through ProtectUK and Counter Terrorism Policing.
The updated course was launched in June 2026 and includes:
- Content reflecting current national guidance
- New filmed, real-world scenarios
- A greater focus on practical decision-making
- Improved accessibility
- Optional additional learning modules
- Awareness of suspicious activity and security vulnerabilities
This follows Richard’s previous completion of the ACT Awareness course in 2025 and demonstrates an ongoing commitment to maintaining current awareness.
Completing ACT Awareness e-Learning does not make a business “Martyn’s Law certified,” nor does it transfer or replace an organiser’s legal responsibilities. It does help R & J PA Hire provide more informed support when discussing event announcements, emergency communication and PA coverage.
Richard Acklam’s certificate of completion for the refreshed ACT Awareness e-Learning course, completed in August 2026.
Read about the refreshed ACT Awareness course on ProtectUK.
Practical Steps Event Organisers Can Take Now
Although the substantive requirements of the Act are not yet in force, organisers can begin preparing by:
- Deciding whether their premises or event are likely to fall within scope.
- Identifying the responsible person and any other organisations that need to cooperate.
- Reviewing current emergency and major-incident plans.
- Planning evacuation, invacuation, lockdown and communication procedures.
- Agreeing who can authorise emergency announcements.
- Checking whether PA and radio coverage reaches all necessary areas.
- Briefing staff, volunteers, commentators and suppliers.
- Testing communication arrangements before the public arrives.
- Recording decisions and reviewing arrangements when an event changes.
- Completing free official ACT Awareness training through ProtectUK.
Security arrangements should be proportionate to the particular premises or event. Organisers do not need to purchase third-party consultancy or commercial “Martyn’s Law certification” to comply.
How R & J PA Hire Can Support Event Organisers
R & J PA Hire supplies professional event communication equipment across Yorkshire, including:
- Outdoor public-address systems
- Commentary units
- Arena and showground speaker coverage
- Two-way radio hire
- Sennheiser radio microphones
- Battery and generator-powered sound systems
- PA coverage for car parks and camping fields
- On-site technical and commentary support
- Backup equipment where agreed
We can work with the event organiser or responsible person to understand where announcements need to be heard and how the PA system will fit within the wider event communication plan.
R & J PA Hire does not provide legal compliance certification or specialist counter-terrorism consultancy. The organiser remains responsible for determining the event’s legal duties and establishing the appropriate procedures.
Official Martyn’s Law Resources
For the most reliable and current information, use the following official resources:
- Martyn’s Law information from ProtectUK
- Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 statutory guidance
- Free ACT Awareness e-Learning
- Security Industry Authority information about Martyn’s Law
Because the legislation and supporting guidance may be updated, event organisers should check the official sources rather than relying solely on third-party summaries.
Plan Your Event Communications
Planning a public event, agricultural show, vehicle rally, sporting event or community festival?
R & J PA Hire provides professional PA systems, commentary units and two-way radios across Hull, Beverley, Driffield, Bridlington, York, Scarborough and the wider Yorkshire region.
Contact Richard to discuss the communication requirements for your event:
Telephone: 07889 438187
Email: [email protected]
Request a quotation: Get a free event PA quote
This article provides general information and is not legal or specialist security advice. Organisers should consult the official statutory guidance and seek appropriate professional advice where necessary.