Planning tools for Martyn’s Law issued by Security Industry Authority

The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, which is expected to come into force in the early part of 2027, aims to keep people safe by ensuring that publicly accessible premises and events are better prepared to deal with acts of terrorism.

In its role as the appointed regulator for Martyn’s Law, the SIA is urging all those in scope to use the new planning tools in progressing their preparations for the incoming legislation.

Developed with the support of volunteers from premises and the events sector as well as the SIA’s partners resident in the protective security domain, there’s a new planning tool for those teams in the Standard Tier such that they can then work through what procedures they have (or will otherwise put) in place in order to comply and also a template for those in the Enhanced Tier to start documenting their procedures.

Referencing the Standard Tier, the focus is very much on helping management and their teams to think through how they will put in place appropriate procedures for evacuation, lockdown, communications and invacuation (ie moving people to safe areas within a premises) in the event of a terrorist attack.

For the Enhanced Tier, the SIA has produced a template that can be used to document compliance when the new law comes into force. The template is designed to help those in scope think through the procedures they will put in place and their impact on reducing harm in the event of an attack episode. It will also help them to look at how they would assess any vulnerabilities to attack and then use monitoring, the movement of people, physical security and information security measures in order to reduce them.

When Martyn’s Law comes into force, those in charge of premises and events in scope will need to notify the SIA that they’re in scope. Those in the Standard Tier will not need to send any compliance documents at that point unless specifically asked to do so.

The SIA is immediately inviting feedback on the new tools and encouraging those in scope to test them out now as they start to prepare. Feedback can be shared online until 23 December. Visit the SIA Feedback Form for Martyn’s Law resources.

Thinking, planning, preparation

Laura Gibb, executive eirector of Martyn’s Law at the SIA, commented: “We’ve talked to many people at events and at premises right across the UK and heard them ask for practical tools. Those in scope of Martyn’s Law have asked for help to work through their thinking, planning and preparation. These new materials are a first step towards that process. We will continue to work with those responsible for premises and events in scope in order to guide and support them in relation to compliance.”

Gibb continued: “We cannot build an effective and workable system without the people and organisations who will be using it. We’re encouraging everyone to become involved, help to test the tools and templates and assist us in building something that works well for premises and events of every size and type.”

Henry Havis, business chair for the National Counter Terrorism Security Office’s dedicated Counter Terrorism Business Information Exchange, stated: “The Counter Terrorism Business Information Exchange has been delighted to work with the SIA in developing these practical tools. One of the consistent messages from industry has been the need for clear, proportionate and usable guidance that actively helps organisations to translate the requirements of Martyn’s Law into practical action. These tools are an important step forward in doing exactly that.” 

Havis continued: “For smaller Standard Tier premises, the planning tool provides a straightforward way in which to work through the public protection procedures and consider what’s appropriate and reasonably practicable for their individual circumstances. For larger and more complex Enhanced Tier premises and events, the relevant template provides a welcome framework for documenting procedures, protective measures and the decisions that sit behind them.” 

Further, Havis observed: “Ultimately, Martyn’s Law is about protecting people. Use the period before Martyn’s Law comes into force to understand your responsibilities, review existing arrangements, identify gaps, engage your people and make sure procedures and measures will work in practice when they’re required to do so. This is all about making the places where people work, visit and gather that much safer.”

*The new tools can be accessed on GOV.UK alongside further resources and information concerning Martyn’s Law. For anyone still unsure if Martyn's Law applies to them, flow charts are available to view on the ProtectUK website