CounterTerraRisk Solutions
Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025
The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, commonly referred to as Martyn's Law, introduces a statutory framework intended to improve protective security and organisational preparedness across qualifying public-facing premises and events within the United Kingdom.
The legislation places responsibilities on organisations to consider the reasonably foreseeable risk of terrorism and implement proportionate preparedness measures designed to reduce vulnerability, improve response capability and support public safety.
The Act received Royal Assent on 3 April 2025 and will be implemented through a phased approach overseen by the Security Industry Authority (SIA).
CounterTerraRisk Solutions supports organisations in understanding how the legislation may apply to their operating environment and what practical measures may be appropriate based upon their size, operational profile and exposure.
Understanding Organisational Responsibilities
The legislation applies to qualifying premises and events where it is reasonable to expect specified occupancy thresholds may be met.
Duty
Martyn's Law will place a legal obligation on controlling persons of certain premises to take steps to reduce the vulnerability of the event, and the risk of physical harm to individuals arising from acts of terrorism.
Who does this apply to?
If your premises conducts one of the following activities, then you may fall in scope:
- Shops
- Restaurants
- Entertainment and leisure
- Sports grounds
- Libraries, museums and galleries
- Halls (for hire, exhibitions or conferences)
- Visitor attractions (cultural, historic or educational)
- Hotels
- Places of Worship
- Health Care settings
- Transportation hubs (excluding airports)
- Childcare or educational establishments
Am I in scope?
If your venue/premises undertakes one of the activities in the column to the left, and the premises consists of a builidng, or a building and other land and you reasonably expect from time to time, 200 or more individuals to be present at the same time then you will fall within the scope of the legislation.
Standard or Enhanced
If you reasonably expect 200 or more people to be present at the same time at your event then you will be considered a STANDARD DUTY PREMISES.
If however, you reasonably expect 800 of more people to be present at the same time then you will be classified as an ENHANCED DUTY PREMISES.
Regulatory Powers and Enforcement
The Security Industry Authority (SIA) has been designated as the regulator responsible for overseeing compliance with the legislation.
The Act introduces a range of enforceent powers intended to support proportionate implementation and organisational accountability.
Compliance Notice
The SIA may require organisations to address identified deficiencies within a specified timeframe.
Restriction Notice
The SIA may impose operational restrictions where significant preparedness concerns exist.
Penalty Notice
The legislation provides for financial penalties in cases of non-compliance.
Criminal Offence
Certain offences established under the legislation may resulty in criminal proceedings.
Request a Martyn's Law Readiness Review
CounterTerraRisk Solutions supports organisations in developing practical, proportionate and operationally credible preparedness arrangements aligned with the requirements of the legislation.
Our advisory support includes:
- readiness reviews
- protective security assessments
- Spatial Kinetics Mapping (SKM)
- emergency planning review
- exercising and validation
- governance and assurance support