Martyn’s Law – What You Need to Know

In the world of national security, terror attacks are rare and unimaginable but the threat level is real and continuously evolving, with venues and public spaces considered a target. According to the Home Office, there have been 14 terror attacks in the UK since the start of 2017 including the devasting Machester Arena bombing. Since then, there have been efforts to improve public safety and security in UK venues and public spaces. One of which includes the introduction of Martyn’s Law. So what does this mean for your organisation? Continue reading to learn more.

What is Martyn’s Law?

In November 2023, King Charles announced The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill – also known as Martyn’s Law in tribute to Martyn Hett, and the 22 other individuals who were tragically killed in the Manchester Arena attack. Martyn’s Law requires certain premises and events to take certain steps to improve security and ensure better preparation for a terrorist attack to reduce the impact and harm to attendees. The bill is expected to become law this year.

How Does It Work?

The bill consists of a tiered approach, depending on the premise or venue size and the activity taking place. Let’s take a closer look at each tier and summarise its requirements.

Standard Tier

Publicly accessible premises or events with a capacity of 100 to 799 individuals are included in this tier. Examples include retail stores, community halls, bars, restaurants, places of worship and theatres. Ahead of the bill announcement, the government launched a public consultation on the Standard Tier from the 5th of February to the 18th of March. The consultation aims to seek views from those responsible for smaller premises that fall under the Standard Tier and to ensure the bill’s measures strike the right balance between improving public safety and not overburdening organisations. 

According to the Home Office, the bill requires those responsible for Standard Tier premises to:

• Notify the Regulator that they are, or have become, responsible for the premises
• Have procedural measures in place that could reduce harm to the public and staff 
• Ensure staff are given sufficient and effective training 

Enhanced Tier

Premises accessible by 800 or more individuals fall under the Enhanced Tier. Examples of these premises include large shopping centres, sports stadiums and concert halls. This tier will see additional requirements. Those responsible for Enhanced Tier premises or events must:

• Notify the Regulator of their premise or event
• Apply reasonably practicable measures to reduce the risk of a terror attack occurring and physical harm being caused.
• Keep and maintain a security document, supported by a risk assessment – which must also be provided to the Regulator
• If the responsible person is a body corporate, they must appoint someone as the designated senior individual for the premises or event

What It Means For Your Organisation

Martyn’s Law does not prevent terror attacks from happening. It ensures UK premises and events will be prepared and ready to respond in the event of a terror attack, therefore reducing their impact and physical harm. According to the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre and the Security Service (MI5), the current national threat level of all forms of terrorism is ‘substantial’, meaning an attack is likely. Is your organisation prepared for Martyn’s Law? Many premises and events that fall under the Standard or Enhanced Tier have already implemented their own security measures including, but not limited to:

• Having an emergency plan and procedures in place
• Training staff on how to respond to an occurring or a suspected attack
• Apply additional security measures – for instance, hiring event security

Prepare Your Organisation With Alpha Omega Securities

Alpha Omega Securities is an established security company covering a wide sector of organisations across Cheshire, from retail and leisure to corporate and events. Our security services include door supervisors, CCTV monitoring, manned guarding, event security and more. Our experienced security officers are fully SIA licensed and vetted, meaning your premises or event will be in good hands. We understand these times can be difficult for business owners and event organisers, which is why we are passionate about providing security for clients and offering them peace of mind. 

If your premises or event falls under the Standard or Enhanced Tier, we can work with you to develop a bespoke security solution and prepare your organisation for the introduction of Marthyn’s Law. These simple measures can help save lives. If you wish to enquire about our security services, please contact us. We would be happy to discuss your security requirements, answer your questions and provide you with a quotation.