Across the UK, organisations are preparing for a huge change to public safety legislation: the implementation of Martyn's Law. This law is designed to strengthen national security by preventing and coping with a terrorist attack.
Here's a practical guide to what Martyn's Law is, and what you do (and don't) need to do before it comes into force.
What is Martyn's Law? A guide for organisations
Across the UK, organisations are preparing for a huge change to public safety legislation: the implementation of Martyn's Law. This law is designed to strengthen national security by preventing and coping with a terrorist attack.
Here's a practical guide to what Martyn's Law is, and what you do (and don't) need to do before it comes into force.
What Martyn's Law is
Officially known as the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, Martyn’s Law received Royal Assent in April 2025. Broadly speaking, it requires that those responsible for certain premises and events consider how they would respond to a terrorist attack.
It's not about requiring extensive and costly physical security upgrades. Martyn's Law is about improving public safety.
The law's two-tiered approach sees qualifying premises split into two categories. Affected venues include event venues, public transport hubs, nightclubs, bars, hotels, restaurants, retail, school and universities.
The standard duty category covers premises which are reasonably expected to host 200 to 799 people from time to time. The enhanced duty tier covers those with capacity for 800 or more.
Why is it called Martyn's Law?
The law is informally named after Martyn Hett, one of the 22 people killed in the attack at the Manchester Arena in 2017.
Why was Martyn's Law introduced?
Following the attack Martyn Hett's mother, Figen Murray, led an extensive campaign for better security measures. Her aim was, and remains, to ensure that no other families should have to go through what hers had.
When does Martyn’s Law come into effect?
Since it received Royal Assent, there has been a pre-implementation period to allow organisations to prepare for the law. The Government provided new guidance in 2026, and full enforcement will begin in 2027.
What Martyn's Law is not: what you don't need to do
You don't need to introduce airport-style security, with scanners and walk-through metal detectors. You don't need to invest in expensive new infrastructure.
Keep the measures proportionate to your premises and tier. They should be “reasonably practicable” and concentrate on simple, low-cost policies and procedures.
For instance, reasonably practicable steps for a standard tier premises could include:
- Creating or updating emergency response procedures
- Providing awareness training for staff
- Improving or updating communication systems
- Establishing lockdown procedures
- Reviewing access-control arrangements
- Running evacuation or invacuation drills
- Defining clear staff responsibilities during an incident
For enhanced duty premises, additional measures are likely to be required because more people could be at risk. Importantly, organisations should be able to show that they have considered the relevant risks and taken appropriate action in response.
The cost is estimated to be £330 per year for standard tier premises over a ten-year period, according to the Government's impact assessment. This relates to management and staff time spent, rather than cash expenditure, said a myth-buster document published by the Home Office.
What Martyn's Law is: what you do need to do
It is vital not to wait until 2027 to begin your preparations. You will be too late and may have to compete with other organisations to access advice, resources and equipment. It is never too early to ensure the safety of your staff and pupils. Start preparing now and consider areas such as:
- What are our current procedures and emergency plan? Are they effective? Do they meet the requirements for Martyn’s Law?
- How long will it take to create and test training plans for new procedures?
- Is our lockdown alert or communication system fit for purpose?
An attack inquiry exposed multiple failures at the Manchester Arena
An independent inquiry into the Manchester Arena attack opened in 2020 and concluded in 2022. It revealed failures in areas including preparedness, response and security:
- The police's emergency plan was nearly a year out of date when the arena was attacked, according to one officer (1)
- The arena's head of security had raised concerns, for four months before the attack, that risk assessments for the venue were not extensive enough (2)
- A counter-terrorism training drill, held a year before the attack, revealed major communication issues between emergency services (3) These failures could have been avoided, and that is what Martyn's Law is designed to address. It encourages organisations to move from reacting to incidents, to preparing for them and ideally preventing them.
How to prepare for Martyn's Law now
Taking a phased approach is often the most manageable and cost-effective option, whatever the size or type of organisation. By starting early, you can spread costs, avoid rushed implementation and build confidence gradually across your teams.
Step one: assess your current position
Begin by reviewing your existing emergency plans, evacuation procedures and communication systems. Many organisations already have partial measures in place that you can adapt or improve at low cost.
Step two: identify vulnerabilities
Consider how your site could be affected during an emergency. Think about areas where large numbers of people gather. Are there multiple entrances, isolated spaces or communication blind spots? Do you communicate effectively to all people involved, including those hard of hearing? Will different types of emergency, such as lockdown and invacuation be distinguished and therefore appropriately responded to?
Step three: train your staff
Procedures are only effective if staff understand them. Employees should know how to recognise suspicious behaviour, trigger alerts, communicate with emergency services and guide colleagues and visitors during an incident.
Step four: test procedures
Exercises and drills are essential. There's a reason why governments and emergency services run wargames (structured exercises designed for responding to disasters) – to enhance their preparedness and improve their strategic thinking. Testing plans in realistic scenarios can reveal weaknesses that may not be obvious or would not show up on paper. People, especially in large groups and in challenging situations, can be unpredictable. Tests will enable you to prepare appropriate responses for a variety of reactions. Step five: review your procedures regularly Whatever you do, never treat emergency preparedness as a one-off exercise. Organisations should review procedures regularly, particularly after site changes, staffing changes or operational updates. Keep up to date with any legislative changes or new advice on Martyn's Law.
Why communication systems are critical during an emergency
At the Arena attack, communication between emergency responders was lacking and there was no forward-command post for senior officers to liaise (4). In a fast-moving situation, people need immediate, clear and consistent instructions. Confusing or delayed messaging can increase panic and place people at greater risk.
This is why many organisations reviewing their Martyn’s Law preparations are prioritising their emergency communication capabilities. An effective emergency alert system should allow you to:
- Reach large numbers of people quickly
- Issue different messages to different areas
- Deliver both audio and visual alerts
- Trigger alerts remotely if necessary
- Continue operating during high-pressure situations
Multi-site organisations may need to co-ordinate alerts across several buildings simultaneously while still targeting affected areas with different messages. Accessible communication is just as important, to ensure everyone can respond and react safely. All emergency procedures should consider people with hearing or visual impairments, language barriers or mobility challenges.
What is the SCaN acronym?
SCaN stands for See, Check and Notify. It is free training run by the National Protective Security Authority and could complement your preparations for Martyn's Law.
It aims to help organisations maximise safety and security using one of their most powerful resources: their people. The training will empower staff to correctly identify suspicious activity and to know what to do as a result.
Let us help you to comply with Martyn’s Law
Be prepared for Martyn’s Law with a communication system in place as part of your preparations. Bodet Time's Harmonys range will ensure you are ready to meet the new requirements.
- Fully customisable to your needs
This flexible system features indoor and outdoor sounders, control boxes and remote triggering methods. You can tailor it to suit your site, whether this be an Educational setting across multiple sites, a set of portacabins or a modern, city-centre office building.
- Issues targeted communication to reduce unnecessary disruption
Poor communication in an emergency could cause confusion, leading to a dangerous delay in responding. The Harmonys solution allows you to send alerts to specific zones or entire sites so that communication is efficient. It is ideal for multi-building sites, like factories or other production facilities. You can broadcast bells and live or pre-recorded messages, making it an extremely flexible option.
- Supports everyone with inclusive, accessible alerts
Strobe lighting and text displays on our sounders support hearing-impaired staff and visitors, ensuring they receive the alert even in a noisy environment.
- Distinguishes between different types of emergencies
Different types of emergency, such as lockdown or evacuation, require a different type of response. Bodet Time’s Harmonys system offers a range of different melodies which can be allocated accordingly to distinguish between the different emergencies. This will reduce confusion and ensure everybody is kept in the safest place, whether in the classroom or outside.
- Generates a faster, more efficient emergency response
The Bodet Alert app enables real-time alert management and helps you eliminate delays in your response. Trigger the alert wherever you are and use geolocation to direct help to precisely where it’s needed. The app even stores your emergency plans, so you won’t struggle to remember them.
- Easy to install and integrate
Harmonys runs via your existing IT network using PoE (Power over Ethernet). So, you will not need any complex infrastructure or work to get going. It’s a quick, cost-effective setup.
Are you responsible for an educational setting?
If you are the responsible person for a school, college or other educational setting, check out our blog – What is Martyn's Law for schools – for specific advice and tips.
Discover what Martyn's Law is and how to implement its recommendations easily and effectively.
Contact us for a free, no-obligation quote
Sources:
(1) https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-54979276
(2) https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-54908746
(3) https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-56004747
(4) https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-63472531
