We are now more than halfway through the preparation period before Martyn's Law fully comes into effect. Do you fully understand what's required of you?
There is still confusion over some areas of the law, its rules and requirements. Here, we look at nine common misunderstandings and how to tackle them.
Martyn's Law: a quick reminder
Martyn's Law is named after Martyn Hett, one of the victims of the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing. Introduced after a long campaign by his mother Figen Murray, the law is designed to improve organisations' preparedness for potential terrorist attacks.
Myth 1: Martyn’s Law is already being enforced
Martyn's Law received Royal Assent in 2025 and is expected to come into force in spring 2027. The two-year gap is to allow all the affected premises time to get ready. There is no legal requirement for them to comply until it is enforced.
The law's regulator, the Security Industry Authority (SIA), has begun to design and build its new regulatory functions, teams and systems. The SIA will:
- Give advice on and ensure compliance with the legislation’s regulatory requirements
- Support those responsible for qualifying events and premises to meet their obligations
- Determine what reasonably practicable procedures and measures should be put in place
The SIA is working closely with the Home Office and is already engaging with stakeholders, such as affected premises. It will launch an online portal in 2027 to allow premises to submit compliance documents and provide notification of their responsible person.
However, it is never too early to ensure the safety of your staff and premises.
Myth 2: Only large venues will have to comply
Martyn’s Law is not exclusively aimed at large premises like arenas or sports stadiums. Many publicly accessible locations will be affected. The definition of qualifying premises also covers public transport hubs, nightclubs, museums, bars, hotels, restaurants, retail locations, educational settings and others.
Smaller premises, hosting 200 – 799 people, are in the standard tier. They will have to implement simple precautions to ensure staff are better able to reduce harm and save lives should an attack occur.
The requirements for larger venues (with capacity for 800+ people) will differ from those imposed upon smaller venues. Their measures could include CCTV, vehicle checks or bag-search policies.
The law will affect all Educational settings to ensure the safety of children and young adults.
Whichever tier or type of premises you are responsible for, you should begin reviewing your emergency procedures and communication methods.
Myth 3: It will be mandatory to hire security guards
Security guards are only one element of preparing for and responding to an emergency. Hiring physical security might be necessary in some circumstances, for example if you’re holding a concert or event. However, it is not an everyday requirement of Martyn’s Law.
Preparedness is about more than physical security. Being able to quickly and clearly communicate an alert to colleagues, staff and visitors can be just as important. This will ensure that, in an emergency, everyone understands what they must do and follows the plan.
Myth 4: It will be expensive to comply with Martyn's Law
Compliance with Martyn's Law is not designed to be expensive, particularly for standard tier premises. The measures are meant to be reasonably practicable, simple and easy to implement. Although, what is reasonably practicable for one premises might not be appropriate for another. Ultimately of course, the amount each organisation spends is entirely up to them.
A government impact assessment estimated that over a 10-year period, the cost per year would be £330 for standard tier premises. For enhanced tier premises, it would be £5,210 per year. The figures relate to management and staff time spent, rather than cash expenditure.
Myth 5: We can implement everything at the last minute
You might be able to complete preparations nearer the time, but why take the risk? There is a reason why there is a two-year wait before the law fully comes into force. It is to allow organisations enough time to create plans, test procedures, review risk assessments and install alert systems.
Pushing the deadline is likely to create stress and panic, and lead to poorly thought-out plans. You may even find that the advice and equipment you need is in short supply by then and may not be available in time.
Emergency communication systems can require a lot of planning. What do you need, where will the equipment go, how long does it take to install? Do you have a robust plan, has it been tested and refined? Have you trained your team in how to follow the emergency plan?
Early adoption of such measures gives the best chance of success. When it comes to safety, that is exactly what you need.
Do you need help to implement the recommendations of Martyn's Law?
Myth 6: I will be arrested for non-compliance
The SIA provides advice on and ensures compliance with the regulatory requirements of Martyn's Law. It has the power to access premises (with a certain amount of notice), to inspect and observe activities. The SIA will be able to issue civil sanctions including compliance notices, monetary penalties and restriction notices.
The legislation does include some criminal offences. It will be an offence to provide the SIA with false or misleading information, or to intentionally obstruct or impersonate an authorised inspector.
Where an information notice has been issued, or a compliance or restriction notice issued in relation to enhanced duty premises or a qualifying event, it will be an offence to fail to comply with the notice.
It is anticipated however, that penalty notices will be the primary method of enforcement for non-compliance with these notices.
You can find more details in this sanctions and enforcement factsheet.
Myth 7: We can sound a lockdown alert with our fire alarm
Fire alarms often require people to evacuate a building. This may be the right response in those circumstances but in a potential terrorist attack it could lead people into danger. It might be more appropriate to remain in a secure room or to move inside the building (invacuation) depending on where the threat originates.
It's essential to differentiate the alarms and alerts so that people know exactly what they need to do in each instance. Alerts must also be accessible to everyone, including anyone with a hearing impairment. Do you have a dedicated and flexible lockdown alert system?
Myth 8: Everyone will know what to do in an emergency anyway
Most of us will have sat through safety briefings on aeroplanes as we await take-off. We think we will remember the instructions. But even if we have been paying careful attention, in stressful situations we may panic and become confused, forgetting what to do.
Regular training and reliable communication are key parts of your preparations for Martyn's Law. Clear instructions, delivered at the right time and in the right way, will help everyone respond appropriately. Everyone on the premises needs to be fully trained so that the correct response is automatic.
Myth 9: Martyn's Law is only relevant if your premises is at high risk of terrorism
Unfortunately, attacks can happen anywhere at any time. They might not always target high-profile locations or major events; the 2024 attack on the dance class in Stockport is proof of that.
Martyn's Law aims to improve preparedness for a wide range of publicly accessible premises, not just those that may be considered high risk.
Robust emergency plans, lockdown alerts and communication systems all support an effective response to security incidents. Even if your premises do not come under the scope of Martyn's Law, it would seem common sense to ensure at least a basic level of readiness.
How do I deliver an effective emergency or lockdown alert?
Communication during a terrorist incident is, as we've already said, one of the biggest challenges to overcome. This is where a lockdown alert system comes in. The right one will enhance your readiness, boost confidence and improve your response in an emergency.
As part of your preparations, review whether your existing system is fit for purpose. Can it:
- Issue lockdown instructions quickly and clearly?
- Trigger alerts immediately?
- Reach staff and visitors across multiple areas?
- Deliver messages that are accessible to everyone?
- Help reduce confusion during an emergency?
Lockdown alert systems are one part of the wider preparedness strategy
If you are looking for a new communications system as part of your preparations for Martyn's Law, 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, button boxes and remote triggering methods. You can tailor it to suit your site, whether this be a converted manor house, a factory, 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 get the alert even in a noisy environment.
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. Our in-house technical team will guide you through the whole installation process and answer your queries.
Discover how to implement the Martyn's Law recommendations easily and effectively. Call us today on 01442 418800 or
