Home Office and SIA set to address outstanding Martyn's Law questions
Published
Industry reports suggest the Home Office and the security regulator will respond to open questions about how Martyn's Law will work in practice. For venues, this is a sign that more detail is on the way before the duties begin.
What happened
Trade coverage indicates that the Home Office and the Security Industry Authority (SIA) are expected to answer a number of outstanding questions about the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, known as Martyn's Law. Venue operators and event organisers have raised practical points about how the new rules will apply, and clearer answers are anticipated. The duties are not yet in force, so this is part of the run-up to commencement.
What it means for venues
Many operators still have reasonable questions: how the head-count thresholds work in practice, what the SIA's notification process will involve, and what preparation looks like for different types of premises. The fact that these questions are being collected and addressed is good news. It should mean firmer detail and worked examples before anything becomes enforceable. Nothing changes for your venue today.
A reminder of the basics
As things stand, premises where 200 to 799 people may reasonably be expected at the same time fall into the standard tier, and 800 or more into the enhanced tier. The count includes staff. The SIA is the regulator, but its notification process is not yet live. Commencement of the duties is expected in spring 2027, with the exact date still to be confirmed.
What to do now
There is no action required and no deadline to meet yet. It is sensible to keep an eye out for official answers and guidance as they appear, and to start getting familiar with which tier your premises is likely to sit in based on your typical capacity. Use this time to prepare calmly rather than wait for a rush nearer commencement.
This is our plain-English summary. Read the original in full at Access All Areas.