The United Kingdom’s Security Industry Authority (SIA) has issued two planning resources for premises preparing for Martyn’s Law as it tests inspections and a digital service ahead of requirements expected to take effect in spring 2027.
One resource helps standard-tier operators plan for evacuation, lockdown, invacuation and communication. The other helps enhanced-tier operators record procedures and review possible vulnerabilities, including how people move through a site and how physical assets and information are protected, the SIA said.
The authority describes the resources as aids for operators working out what fits their premises, rather than definitive checklists. Once the law’s requirements take effect, enhanced-tier premises and qualifying events will have to document compliance, but they can use their own records instead of the SIA’s optional template.
Home Office guidance sets the standard tier for premises where 200 to 799 people, including staff, can reasonably be expected to be present together from time to time. For most premises, an expected attendance of 800 or more meets the enhanced-tier threshold. Some places of worship and certain childcare and education premises remain standard tier even above that number. Qualifying events are assessed separately: they must meet the attendance threshold, be open to the public and have measures to check that attendees meet an entry condition.
The SIA said initial inspection trials included a nightclub, a university and a heritage site. More than 30 additional premises and events are lined up for further trials. The authority is preparing user tests for its digital service and is seeking volunteers from one-off events of any size, hospitals and sites with multiple uses.
The SIA says the law does not require community event organizers to cancel gatherings or adopt costly security services, equipment or consultancy. Home Office guidance says measures should be reasonably practicable for each venue or event, given its circumstances and resources. Separately, Truro City Council said Sept. 22 that it canceled its 2026 Bonfire Night and fireworks display after deciding it could not stage the event safely within its existing budget and resources while keeping it affordable. The council expected up to 5,000 people and classified the event as enhanced tier.
Martyn’s Law, formally the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, applies in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. It received Royal Assent on April 3, 2025, and the implementation period is expected to last at least 24 months. The requirements are not yet in force, and no exact start date has been confirmed. The law is named for Martyn Hett, one of 22 people killed in the 2017 Manchester Arena attack. Home Office guidance says protective security had often been deprioritized behind other legal duties, contributing to uneven preparedness.
The SIA said comments on the new resources can be submitted through an online form before Dec. 23.
