What Is Martyn’s Law?
A Simple Guide for Public Venuess
Martyn’s Law — also known as the Protect Duty — is new UK legislation designed to improve public safety by ensuring venues and organisations are better prepared for terror-related incidents. Whether you operate a theatre, leisure centre, stadium, place of worship, or other public-facing venue, Martyn’s Law will introduce clear responsibilities around risk assessment, staff training, and emergency communication.
This guide breaks down what the law is, who it applies to, and how venues can prepare effectively — including how PopAlert® provides the fast, reliable internal communication system that supports compliance.
Why Was Martyn’s Law Introduced?
Martyn’s Law is named after Martyn Hett, one of the victims of the 2017 Manchester Arena attack. Following the tragedy, Martyn’s mother, Figen Murray, campaigned for stronger safety measures in the UK to ensure venues have plans in place to protect the public during an attack.
The goal is simple:
To ensure every venue has basic, proportionate security measures that help save lives during an emergency.
Who Does Martyn’s Law Apply To?
Martyn’s Law applies to a wide range of public venues, including:
Entertainment venues
Sports facilities
Hospitality and nightlife
Visitor attractions
Retail venues
Places of worship
Schools, colleges & universities (public-facing areas)
Council-owned buildings
Exhibition centres
Any venue with regular public footfall
If your venue allows the public to enter for events, services, or activities, you will likely fall under the Protect Duty.
What Are the Core Requirements of Martyn’s Law?
While the final details of Martyn’s Law may continue to evolve, most venues will be responsible for carrying out a terrorism risk assessment to understand potential threats and identify vulnerabilities. They must also establish clear emergency response procedures that outline how to manage lockdowns, evacuations, invacuations, communication methods, and staff actions. Staff training and awareness are essential, ensuring team members can respond calmly and confidently during an incident. Strong internal communication is another key requirement, as venues need a reliable way to instantly deliver instructions to staff in an emergency. Finally, all procedures and communication systems should undergo regular testing and review to ensure they remain effective and continuously improve over time.
Why Internal Communication Is Critical Under Martyn’s Law
In an emergency, seconds matter. Staff must be informed immediately and clearly.
Traditional systems like radios, apps, or alarms often fail to provide:
Clear written instructions
Immediate confirmation that everyone received the message
A way to differentiate between lockdown, evacuation, and other alerts
Coverage across large, noisy, or complex venues
That’s why many venues are now turning to digital, on-premises alert systems that deliver unavoidable notifications to staff devices.
How PopAlert® Helps Public Venues Meet Martyn’s Law Requirements
PopAlert is an instant internal alert system that displays full-screen notifications on every connected PC or device within a venue.
It is designed for fast, reliable communication during emergencies, making it a powerful tool for Protect Duty compliance.
Key Benefits for Public Venues:
Instant Full-Screen Alerts
PopAlert delivers unmissable messages directly to staff screens — no emails, no delays, no missed notifications.
Supports Lockdown, Evacuation & Custom Alerts
Different emergencies require different actions. PopAlert allows venues to customise alert types, instructions, and escalation paths.
100% On-Premises, No Internet Needed
Unlike cloud apps that can experience delays or outages, PopAlert runs locally for maximum reliability, even during network disruption.
Fast Integration With Existing Safety Systems
PopAlert can be triggered using:
Physical buttons
Panic switches
Relay-based systems
Third-party devices (like Alertex)
Manual or automated triggers
This ensures the alert workflow fits your venue’s layout and procedures.
Easy Installation, Zero Maintenance
No cabling, no complex hardware, no batteries, and no annual servicing.
Our engineers install the PopAlert control unit and configure your emergency workflows.
Helps Demonstrate Martyn’s Law Compliance
PopAlert forms part of your venue’s:
Emergency communication plan
Risk mitigation measures
Staff training processes
Testing and audit documentation
This supports your overall Protect Duty obligations.
Preparing Your Venue for Martyn’s Law
Preparing your venue for Martyn’s Law begins with a thorough review of your existing emergency plans to identify any gaps in communication, staff coordination, or decision-making. One of the most important steps is selecting a reliable internal alert system, as fast, clear communication is central to the Protect Duty. Staff should be trained regularly and involved in realistic practice drills to ensure genuine readiness rather than a purely administrative response. Finally, all procedures, training records, communication methods, and testing cycles should be documented carefully to demonstrate compliance. PopAlert is built to sit at the core of this process, delivering the real-time internal communication needed to protect both staff and visitors during an emergency.
