Guidance for venues under Martyn's Law has been published
Published
The BBC reports that official guidance to help venues prepare for Martyn's Law has been published. The duties themselves are not yet in force, so now is a good time to read up and get familiar.
What happened
According to the BBC, guidance has been published to help venues understand what Martyn's Law will ask of them. Martyn's Law is the everyday name for the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, which received Royal Assent on 3 April 2025. It is named after Martyn Hett, one of the 22 people killed in the 2017 Manchester Arena attack. The guidance is intended to help premises get ready ahead of the duties starting.
What it means for venues
The Act sets two tiers based on how many people may reasonably be expected at the same time, including staff. The standard tier covers premises expecting 200 to 799 people. The enhanced tier covers 800 or more. Published guidance is useful because it explains, in plainer terms, the kinds of steps venues will be expected to think about. It is background reading to help you prepare, not a new obligation you must meet today.
Remember: the duties are not yet in force
Nothing is enforceable right now. Commencement is expected in spring 2027, with the exact date still to be confirmed. The Security Industry Authority will be the regulator, and its notification process is not yet live. So there is no need to rush or panic — the sensible approach is to familiarise yourself and plan calmly.
What to do now
Take a look at the published guidance when you can, and work out which tier your premises is likely to fall into by thinking about your realistic capacity. Note who among your team should be involved in preparation. Keep an eye out for further detail from official sources, and treat this as a chance to build your readiness steadily before the duties begin.
This is our plain-English summary. Read the original in full at BBC.