Martyns Law Key changes from draft to Final legislation

🛡️ Martyn’s Law: Final Revisions and Key Requirements

Martyn’s Law, officially the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, received Royal Assent on 3 April 2025. The legislation is named in memory of Martyn Hett, one of the 22 victims of the 2017 Manchester Arena attack.

Since its original draft, the law has undergone significant revisions following consultations with businesses, local authorities, and security experts. These changes aim to balance public safety with realistic, proportionate requirements for venues.

🔁 Key Changes from Draft to Final Legislation

• Increased Capacity Threshold: The minimum capacity for the standard duty tier rose from 100 to 200 individuals. This ensures the law targets venues where the potential risk and impact are higher.
• Reasonably Practicable Measures: Venues must implement security steps that are ‘reasonably practicable’, allowing for flexibility based on circumstances and available resources.
• Training Requirements: Standardised terrorism training is no longer mandatory. Instead, staff must simply be aware of what to do in the event of an attack, with guidance made available.
• Designated Regulator: The Security Industry Authority (SIA) is the appointed regulator. The SIA will guide, inspect, and enforce compliance, including issuing sanctions where necessary.
• Private Events Exempt: Martyn’s Law does not apply to private gatherings such as weddings or office parties. It only covers publicly accessible locations and events.
• Standardised Evaluation Removed: The requirement for a formal terrorism evaluation has been dropped for standard-tier venues. Instead, practical measures such as evacuation and communication plans are expected.

These changes reflect the government’s intent to build a resilient, practical, and inclusive security framework for public spaces, ensuring preparedness without overburdening smaller venues.

Martyn’s Law promotes public safety through realistic, risk-based approaches to terrorism readiness. Its tiered structure ensures that requirements are tailored to each venue's size, nature, and risk level.