Understanding Martyn’s Law: The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025
Martyn’s Law, officially known as the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, introduces new legal responsibilities for certain publicly accessible premises and events to improve preparedness for potential terrorist incidents.
The legislation aims to improve organisational preparedness and protective security across the UK by requiring those responsible for qualifying premises and events to consider how they would respond to a terrorist attack and, in some circumstances, take appropriate steps to reduce vulnerabilities.
What Is Martyn’s Law?
The Act applies to certain premises and events where it is reasonable to expect that significant numbers of people may be present. The legislation introduces requirements that are intended to be practical, proportionate and scalable to the size and nature of the venue.
Depending on the type and size of the premises, those responsible may be required to:
- Consider how they would respond to a terrorist incident
- Undertake appropriate preparedness planning
- Provide relevant staff training and awareness
- Implement proportionate security measures where required
Premises that may fall within scope include:
- Entertainment venues
- Retail premises
- Community facilities
- Places of worship
- Sports and leisure facilities
- Educational premises
The Two-Tier Approach
Martyn’s Law establishes a tiered approach based on the number of individuals reasonably expected to be present at a premises at the same time.
- Standard Tier (200–799 people)
Focuses on straightforward preparedness measures, including staff awareness, emergency procedures and terrorism response planning. - Enhanced Tier (800+ people)
Requires additional planning and, where reasonably practicable, appropriate public protection measures to reduce vulnerability to terrorism and minimise the risk of harm.
The Government has stated that the requirements are intended to be proportionate to the size and nature of the venue.
Common Security Challenges Identified in Public Buildings
When reviewing protective security arrangements, it is common to find organisations with clear fire evacuation procedures but limited planning for lockdown, invacuation or terrorism-related incidents.
Common areas for improvement can include:
- Emergency communication arrangements
- Lockdown procedures
- Access control strategies
- Staff awareness and training
- Coordination between security and facilities teams
Often, relatively simple procedural improvements can significantly improve organisational preparedness without major expenditure.
Using Access Control to Support Martyn’s Law
Access control systems are not specifically required by Martyn’s Law. However, they may form part of a wider protective security strategy by helping organisations manage access, support emergency procedures and improve situational awareness during incidents.
Modern access control platforms can provide:
- Emergency lockdown functionality
- Triggers and automated actions
- Integration with fire and intruder alarm systems
- Controlled access to sensitive areas
- Audit trails and user activity records
When appropriately designed, these features may assist organisations in implementing emergency procedures and improving incident response capabilities.
Emergency Lockdown Systems
Emergency lockdown procedures are increasingly becoming part of wider security and safeguarding strategies within public buildings.
Integrated lockdown solutions can support:
- Real-time lockdown notifications via IP speakers, displays and visual beacons
- Zoned audio announcements and pre-recorded messaging
- Automatic security responses linked to predefined scenarios
- Rapid communication with building occupants
- Consistent emergency procedures across multiple buildings
The most effective systems are usually designed around the operational needs of the organisation and integrated with existing infrastructure wherever possible.
CCTV and Surveillance Systems
CCTV systems can support wider security arrangements by providing situational awareness, supporting incident management and assisting with post-incident investigations.
When integrated with access control systems, CCTV can improve visibility of events across a site and support coordinated responses by security and management teams.
Martyn’s Law for Schools and Educational Premises
One of the most common questions being asked by school leaders, academy trusts and estates teams is how Martyn’s Law affects educational premises.
Government guidance confirms that educational premises that fall within scope of the legislation are subject to special considerations. Schools, colleges and further education settings remain within the Standard Tier, even where 800 or more individuals may reasonably be expected to be present.
This recognises the unique safeguarding and operational requirements of educational environments.
Typical Areas Schools Should Consider
- Lockdown procedures
- Invacuation procedures
- Emergency communication arrangements
- Staff awareness and preparedness
- Visitor management procedures
- Access control arrangements
The Government has stated that requirements are intended to be proportionate and that schools will not automatically be required to employ specialist consultants or install new security infrastructure solely because of the legislation.
Questions School Leaders Should Be Asking
- Do we have documented lockdown and invacuation procedures?
- Have staff received appropriate emergency response training?
- Can emergency messages be communicated quickly across the site?
- Do our access control arrangements support safeguarding and emergency procedures?
- Have we reviewed our security arrangements since major building works or site expansion?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Martyn’s Law?
Martyn’s Law is the commonly used name for the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, which aims to improve preparedness and protective security across publicly accessible premises and events.
Does Martyn’s Law apply to schools?
Educational premises may fall within scope of the legislation depending on their circumstances. Government guidance includes special considerations for schools, colleges and further education settings.
Does Martyn’s Law require access control systems?
No. The legislation does not mandate specific security technologies. Organisations should consider measures that are appropriate and proportionate to their circumstances and risk profile.
When does Martyn’s Law come into force?
The Government has indicated that there will be an implementation period of at least 24 months before the substantive requirements come into force. Organisations should continue to monitor official guidance and prepare accordingly.
Final Thoughts
Martyn’s Law represents an important step in strengthening public safety and improving preparedness for terrorist incidents.
For many organisations, the focus will not be on introducing complex security measures but on ensuring that people, procedures and communication systems are capable of supporting an effective response in an emergency.
For schools, academy trusts, public venues and commercial premises, reviewing lockdown procedures, emergency communications, access control systems and staff preparedness can help improve resilience and support compliance with the principles of the legislation.
With extensive experience across schools, public-sector organisations and commercial premises, i Security can provide practical guidance on access control, emergency lockdown systems, CCTV integration and site security reviews.