The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 was passed on 3rd April 2025, requiring those in control of qualifying public premises and events to take steps to reduce the risk of acts of terrorism.
Currently the only Act is only in force for the purpose of making regulations, which will then bring into force requirements for those in control of premises and events.
The Act is commonly known as Martyn’s Law, named after Martyn Hett who was among the 22 people killed in the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing.
Whilst the Act is not directly in scope as occupational health and safety in the Legislation Update Service, it is relevant to those in control of qualifying public premises and events. If this legislation is relevant to your organisation, you can add it to LUS using the ‘other requirements’ (subscribers only) function using the content below.
Summary
Those in control of qualifying public premises and events must implement public protection procedures and measures to reduce the risk of acts of terrorism.
The Security Industry Authority (SIA) is responsible for enforcing compliance with requirements.
Qualifying premises and events
Qualifying premises
The Act sets out 2 tiers for qualifying premises which are accessible to members of the public.
- Standard duty premises are those listed in Schedule 1 where 200 people may be present at the same time.
- Enhanced duty premises are those listed in Schedule 1, where 800 people may be present at the same time.
Relevant premises include:
- shops;
- restaurants and cafes;
- entertainment and leisure facilities;
- sports grounds;
- libraries, museums and galleries;
- halls;
- visitor attractions;
- hotels;
- places of worship;
- hospitals and health care facilities;
- bus and railway stations;
- aerodromes;
- childcare premises;
- educational premises; and
- public buildings.
Qualifying events
Relevant events are those where 800 or more people may be present at the same time including members of the public, with measures in place to secure or check access to members of the public attending.
Events held at enhanced duty premises are exempt from the rules for qualifying events, but must follow the rules for enhanced duty premises.
Duties
All qualifying premises and events
Those responsible for all qualifying premises or a qualifying event must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that appropriate public protection procedures are in place if there is reason to suspect an act of terrorism is or is about to occur; including for;
- evacuation;
- moving people to a safer place;
- preventing people entering or leaving; and
- providing information to those on the premises.
A responsible person must be assigned for qualifying premises and events and the Security Industry Authority notified of their appointment.
Where multiple people are responsible for qualifying premises or events, they must co-ordinate and co-operate to ensure requirements are fulfilled.
Enhanced premises and events
Those responsible for enhanced duty premises or a qualifying event must also:
- assess and review public protection measures;
- ensure public protection measures are in place, so far as is reasonably practicable;
- prepare a statement of procedures and measures in place;
- assess how the procedures and measures reduce risk; and
- provide a copy of this documentation to the Security Industry Authority as soon as possible after it is prepared and within 30 days of being updated.
A senior individual must be designated as the person responsible for enhanced duty premises or qualifying events.
Offences
Anyone found guilty of an offence could be subject to fines or imprisonment. The Security Industry Authority can issue penalty notices up to £18 million or 5% of global revenue, whichever is greater.
