Martyn’s Law, officially known as the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, is a new piece of UK legislation designed to improve public safety and preparedness against terrorist threats. Named in memory of Martyn Hett, one of the victims of the Manchester Arena attack in 2017, the law introduces a proportionate and consistent approach to public safety and counter-terrorism planning across the UK. It places a legal duty on those responsible for certain venues and events to take proportionate steps to protect the public from harm.
For venues, this means assessing the risk of a terrorist attack and putting in place appropriate procedures — such as staff training, evacuation plans, and incident response measures — to ensure the safety of customers, attendees and staff. It’s a critical step in making public spaces more resilient and preventing future tragedies.
Martyn’s Law applies to qualifying public premises and events across the UK. These are defined as locations where:
Examples include theatres, shopping centres, music festivals, sports stadiums and public-facing offices or religious venues.
Martyn’s Law introduces a legal duty for certain venues and events to consider and prepare for the threat of terrorism. The key requirements depend on the size of your venue or event, but generally include:
The law is designed to increase awareness and resilience, helping to protect staff, visitors and the wider public.
What is a “Responsible Person” under Martyn’s Law?
The Responsible Person is the individual legally responsible for making sure a venue or event complies with Martyn’s Law. This role involves:
In smaller venues (Standard Tier), this might be the venue manager or organiser. In larger venues (Enhanced Tier), it could be a dedicated security professional or senior operational lead.
Your event likely falls under Martyn’s Law if:
This includes everything from music gigs and markets to religious festivals and sporting events. If you’re unsure, start by reviewing your expected audience size, location type and whether the public can access the event or venue.
Event organisers need to consider risks such as terrorism, health and safety, adverse weather, crowd control, security, and infrastructure.
When planning an event, it’s essential to consider both general safety and specific risks related to terrorism. These may include:
Using a structured risk assessment and planning tool can help you identify, mitigate and monitor these risks effectively — many of which overlap with your existing safety obligations. Our Events and Venues Toolkit includes these and more. See our Resources page for more information.
DSC offers services such as the review of terrorism risk assessments, will provide real-time event monitoring, an expert advisory, and through affiliates will provide training programs to help venues meet Martyn’s Law requirements and ensure compliance.
While Martyn’s Law does not mandate it, the Health and Safety at Work Act already requires events venues to have trained, competent, personnel. Martyn’s Law requires events and venues to have a nominated Responsible Person.
We offer real-time ‘beyond the fence’ event monitoring through our centre, which includes tracking threats, public health alerts, transportation networks, and more. This ensures rapid response in case of emergencies utilising our database of what is happening where and when, and the contact details we hold for organisers and stakeholders.
Martyn’s Law affects public venues and events where 200 or more people are expected at any one time. Most affected will be:
Private events may also fall under scope if they’re hosted at qualifying public premises.
To prepare, you should:
1. Identify your tier:
2. Appoint a Responsible Person (required for both tiers): This is the individual responsible for ensuring your venue or event complies with the requirements of Martyn’s Law.
3. Complete the required terrorism protection training for staff.
4. Create a security plan appropriate to your tier:
5. Use available guidance and support: Toolkits, templates, and specialist training can help ensure compliance is understood, proportionate and achievable. Watch out for the DSC’s Responsible Persons Training (see our Resources page for more information).
6. Engage with local authorities and emergency services: Collaborative planning can improve the effectiveness of your safety measures and ensure alignment with local risk environments.
The DSC can help guide you through this process with expert advice and compliance tools. Also have a look at Protect UK protectuk.police.uk.
Martyn’s Law does not mandate a specific insurance policy. However, venues should review and, if necessary, update:
Enhanced Tier venues in particular may benefit from seeking policies that cover legal liabilities linked to duty of care failures in relation to terrorist threats.
Speak to your insurer to ask what may be required.
Non-compliance can result in significant financial, legal, and reputational damage. Event organisers and venue operators may face penalties, fines, or be held liable in case of an incident.
This is a free service, just complete the short questionnaire and keep your records up to date.
Read more on the National Events Database
The DSC provides CPD Certified training. See the Resources page for more information. An Event and Venue Toolkit and Incident Response Playbooks are included in the course material, these are also available as standalone, downloadable, documents.
Costs will vary depending on venue size, risk profile, and existing safety infrastructure:
Toolkits, resources, and training modules are being made available via platforms like the Decision Support Centre to help manage costs, especially for grassroots organisations. See the Resources page for more information.
Yes, the legal duty specifically relates to terrorism. However, under other law, such as the Health and Safety at Work Act event organisers must also manage and mitigate other risks.
The National Events Database will provide situational awareness for you and the authorities. Additionally, through a subscription service, real-time beyond the fence line monitoring and expert advisory service will be available. We can assist with quick decision-making and coordination with local authorities in the event of a crisis. Please see the Resources page for more information and request further information.
Our risk assessment templates involve analysing potential threats, vulnerabilities, and the likelihood of an incident, followed by prompts to create a tailored security plan for your venue.
Yes, we will offer secure digital storage and sharing of compliance documents, including site safety files, training records, contact lists, and risk assessments, ensuring all necessary documentation is readily available for inspection. Keep an eye on the website for more information.
