Compliance & Martyn's Law
Helping organisations prepare for Martyn's Law with practical security guidance, risk awareness, and protective security solutions.
Current position: The Act received Royal Assent on 3 April 2025. Home Office statutory guidance was updated on 27 April 2026, and the Security Industry Authority has said the law is expected to come into force in Spring 2027.
Review Focus
Procedures, access, coverage, response
Scope
Public premises and events
A practical introduction for organisations that welcome the public
Martyn's Law is intended to improve public safety and preparedness at publicly accessible premises and events. It is the common name for the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, and you may also hear it discussed alongside the term Protect Duty.
In simple terms, the aim is to help responsible organisations consider terrorism risk, improve preparedness, and put suitable protective measures in place. That can include procedures, awareness, communication, access management, monitoring, and other proportionate steps based on the premises or event.
It may apply to qualifying venues, public premises, and events depending on factors such as size, capacity, use, and public accessibility. Because scope can vary, organisations should always check the latest official guidance before deciding what is required.
General guidance only
This page provides general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific obligations, organisations should check official government guidance or seek professional and legal advice.
Official guidance
For practical security support, we can help you review your site, current systems, and response arrangements without overcomplicating the process.
Clear planning supports safer, calmer, and more consistent responses
Martyn's Law compliance is not only about meeting duties on paper. It is also about improving public premises security, strengthening procedures, and helping people respond with greater confidence if an incident ever occurs.
Public safety
Clear protective security planning helps reduce confusion, support safer decisions, and keep people moving away from danger when time matters.
Staff awareness
Teams need to understand site-specific procedures, communication routes, and what practical actions are expected during an incident.
Emergency preparedness
Prepared premises are better placed to respond calmly, lock down or evacuate where appropriate, and coordinate with emergency services.
Risk reduction
A measured security risk assessment can highlight vulnerable areas, unmanaged access points, and gaps in current procedures or equipment.
Clear procedures
Documented and practised procedures help reduce hesitation, improve consistency, and make responsibilities easier to understand.
Better incident response
The right mix of communication, access management, monitoring, and training can support faster and more coordinated responses.
Greater confidence
Visible planning and reliable systems can improve confidence for visitors, staff, governors, trustees, and other stakeholders.
Many different public-facing settings may need to assess their position
The following examples are not exhaustive, but they illustrate the range of organisations that may need to review their responsibilities, security risk assessment process, and protective security arrangements.
Retail premises
Hospitality venues
Schools and education sites
Healthcare and care facilities
Places of worship
Entertainment venues
Sports facilities
Community buildings
Offices open to the public
Event spaces and temporary events
Practical support to help organisations prepare with confidence
We support organisations with practical security measures that may help them prepare for Martyn's Law requirements. Our approach is focused on risk awareness, public protection procedures, and professional systems that fit the way your premises actually operates.
That may include a site review, a venue security compliance discussion, or more detailed planning around access control, emergency communication, lockdown alarm systems, and wider security systems.
Site security surveys
Walk-through reviews of entrances, public areas, circulation routes, and current controls to support practical venue security compliance planning.
Arrange a site surveyCCTV systems
Coverage planning, recording quality checks, deterrence, and incident review support for public premises security.
Discuss CCTV coverageIntruder alarms
Detection and alerting measures that can support unauthorised entry response, out-of-hours protection, and linked site procedures.
Talk through alarm optionsAccess control
Door permissions, restricted areas, audit trails, and visitor management through professionally installed access control systems.
View access control systemsDoor entry systems
Visitor access screening and reception-led entry management that can support safer movement into publicly accessible premises.
Explore door entry supportEmergency communication systems
Site-wide alerts, messaging, and response communication that help staff understand what to do and where to go.
See lockdown alert systemsLockdown support measures
Lockdown alarm systems and supporting procedures designed to help organisations respond clearly when sheltering in place is appropriate.
Review lockdown systemsStaff awareness support
Practical handover guidance so teams understand daily security routines, escalation routes, and response expectations.
Talk through staff supportMaintenance and system checks
Routine inspections, testing, and servicing to help systems remain dependable, documented, and ready when needed.
Ask about maintenance supportA simple Martyn's Law preparation checklist
This checklist is designed to help organisations organise next steps in a calm, practical order. It is not a substitute for official guidance, but it can help you structure internal reviews and conversations.
Useful next step:
If you are unsure where to begin, start with a site walkthrough and security risk assessment review. That usually makes the biggest priorities much easier to see.
Understand whether your premises may fall within the scope of Martyn’s Law
Review current security risks
Identify vulnerable entrances, exits, and public areas
Check CCTV coverage and recording quality
Review access control and unauthorised entry risks
Assess emergency procedures
Ensure staff know what to do in an incident
Keep security systems maintained
Document actions, reviews, and improvements
Follow official government guidance
Security systems that can support compliance
The right system mix will depend on the premises, its layout, its public access arrangements, and the level of risk being managed. For many organisations, the priority is joining procedures and technology together in a simple, reliable way.
CCTV
Supports monitoring, recording, deterrence, and post-incident review. CCTV can help identify blind spots, confirm activity, and support procedural reviews.
Ask about CCTV planningAccess Control
Helps restrict unauthorised access, manage staff and visitor movement, and create a clearer audit trail for sensitive or public-facing areas.
View access controlIntruder Alarms
Supports rapid awareness of unauthorised entry, especially outside operating hours or in restricted parts of a site where early warning matters.
Talk through intruder alarm supportDoor Entry
Gives staff more control over visitor access and can help reduce uncontrolled movement into reception, office, education, and community spaces.
Explore door entry systemsLockdown Alarm
Supports faster site-wide instruction and clearer shelter-in-place procedures when organisations need an immediate, unmistakable response during a hostile or fast-moving incident.
See lockdown alarm systemsMaintenance
Helps ensure systems remain reliable, operational, and properly checked so procedures are supported by equipment that is ready to perform.
Ask about maintenance planningA simple explanation of tiers
Martyn's Law uses a tiered approach. In general terms, some premises may have standard requirements, while larger or higher-capacity premises and events may have enhanced requirements. Duties can depend on factors such as capacity, activity, and public accessibility.
Standard requirements
Preparedness and practical procedures
Some qualifying premises may mainly need clear public protection procedures, staff awareness, communication planning, and proportionate response arrangements.
Enhanced requirements
Larger or more complex premises and events
Larger or higher-capacity premises and qualifying events may need to do more, including considering wider vulnerabilities and reasonably practicable public protection measures.
Broadly, current statutory guidance describes standard tier premises as those expecting 200 to 799 individuals from time to time, with enhanced requirements generally applying from 800 upwards, although some premises are treated differently. Organisations should always check the latest official guidance to confirm their obligations.
Frequently asked questions
What is Martyn's Law?
Martyn's Law is the common name for the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025. It is intended to improve preparedness and protective security at certain publicly accessible premises and events.
Who does Martyn's Law apply to?
It may apply to qualifying premises and events depending on factors such as use, public accessibility, and the number of people it is reasonable to expect may be present. Organisations should check the latest official guidance to confirm whether they are in scope.
Is Martyn’s Law the same as Protect Duty?
The term Protect Duty was widely used during policy development. The law itself is now the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, commonly known as Martyn’s Law.
Do I need CCTV for Martyn’s Law compliance?
Not automatically. Some organisations may need stronger procedures and staff preparedness, while others may decide CCTV forms part of a wider protective security plan. What is suitable will depend on the premises, its use, and the relevant guidance.
Can access control help with compliance?
Yes. Access control can support visitor management, reduce unauthorised access, and help organisations manage movement through entrances, staff areas, and other sensitive spaces.
Do you provide Martyn’s Law risk assessments?
We provide practical site security reviews and security risk assessment support to help organisations understand current arrangements, vulnerable areas, and possible improvements. We do not provide legal advice.
Is this legal advice?
No. This page provides general security and compliance guidance only. For legal obligations, organisations should refer to official government guidance or seek qualified legal advice.
How can we start preparing?
Start by checking whether your premises may be in scope, reviewing current risks and procedures, checking entrances and public areas, and making sure staff understand what to do in an incident. A site survey or compliance review can help you prioritise next steps.
Related security support and next steps
If you are building a wider compliance plan, these pages are often a helpful next step. For CCTV planning, intruder alarms, and maintenance support, you can also contact us directly for tailored advice on your site.
Access Control
Door permissions, visitor management, and controlled entry for public-facing premises.
Lockdown Alarm Systems
Emergency communication and lockdown support measures for schools, offices, and venues.
Temporary Fire Alarm Systems
Fire and life safety integration that supports safe evacuation and response planning.
Security Systems
Browse the wider A-Squared Alarms service range and compliance-focused support.
Contact Us
Discuss CCTV, intruder alarms, maintenance support, or a wider compliance review.
Prepare your premises with practical security support for Martyn's Law.
We can help you review current arrangements, identify priorities, and plan proportionate improvements across procedures, systems, and site readiness.
General guidance only. Check the latest official government guidance for specific obligations.