Understanding Martyn’s Law's effect on licensed premises

Insight

Understanding Martyn’s Law

Following the Royal Assent of Martyn’s Law on 25th March 2025, businesses and venue operators across the UK are preparing for significant new security responsibilities. Officially known as the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act, this legislation aims to improve the protective security of public venues by requiring certain premises to assess and mitigate terrorism risks.

What is Martyn’s Law?

Martyn’s Law is a new legal framework designed to enhance security measures at public venues and events. It places a duty on specific venues and premises to carry out protective security risk assessments and take proportionate steps to prepare for and mitigate the threat of terrorism. The law will apply initially to venues with a capacity of 100 or more people, including sports stadiums, music venues, and public events, with the scope expected to widen over time.

The legislation requires organisations to:

Conduct a terrorism risk assessment
Develop and implement a protective security plan
Train staff in protective security awareness
Cooperate with the Regulator overseeing the regime, established within the Security Industry Authority (SIA)

Why Martyn’s Law matters

Martyn’s Law responds to the increasing threat of terrorism and recognises the role venues and events play as potential targets. It is named in memory of Martyn Hett, a victim of the Manchester Arena bombing in 2017, underscoring the human importance of these protections.

The law aims to reduce the risk of attacks, limit harm to people, and strengthen national security resilience by embedding a culture of vigilance and preparedness in the night-time economy and wider public spaces.

Implementation timeline and regulatory oversight

Although Martyn’s Law has received Royal Assent, it is not yet in force. The Government has committed to a minimum two-year implementation period from Royal Assent, allowing time for guidance, regulatory framework development, and phased introduction.

A dedicated Regulator within the SIA framework will be responsible for enforcing compliance and providing support to venues during this period.

Home Office video: Clear guidance for businesses

To help businesses understand the new legal requirements, the Home Office has released a short, two-minute animated video designed to educate venue operators, event organisers, and premises managers on the key aspects of Martyn’s Law.

This video covers:

The types of premises likely to fall within the scope of the Act
The steps businesses will be expected to take to comply
The phased nature of implementation
The importance of early preparation to meet future obligations

View the video here

Understanding Martyn’s Law's effect on licensed premises