Martyn's Law · information bank
Martyn's Law guidance and resource library
The official guidance, factsheets, training, procedures and reporting routes for the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, gathered in one place. Every link goes to the original source.
45
official resources
1
Act and statutory guidance
8
GOV.UK factsheets
Free
e-learning links
About this information: information only, not advice
This is a collection of publicly available information about Martyn's Law (the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025), drawn from GOV.UK, the Home Office and ProtectUK, to help organisations think about how they might prepare. It is not advice of any kind: not legal, security, compliance or professional advice. It does not decide whether your premises or event are in scope, or whether you comply. SPS Security does not provide Martyn's Law advice or consultancy. Any scores, summaries or points to consider are general prompts based on your own answers, not recommendations. Always check the official guidance and take your own legal or professional advice before making decisions. SPS Security accepts no liability for decisions made using this information.
Official sources
Martyn's Law resource library
45 free and official resources from GOV.UK, the Home Office, the SIA, ProtectUK, Counter Terrorism Policing and NPSA, gathered in one place. Every link goes to the original source.
Links last checked: 11 October 2026
The law and statutory guidance
Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025
The full text of the Act.
Open on legislation.gov.ukStatutory guidance (section 27)
Explains the Act's key ideas and helps premises and event operators check whether they are covered and what they must do. Published 15 April 2026.
Open on gov.ukSupplementary document A: assessing the number of people present
Methods for assessing the reasonable expectation of individuals present at premises and events.
Open on gov.ukSupplementary document B: scope, illustrative examples
Worked examples to help understand which premises and events are in scope.
Open on gov.ukSupplementary document C: further resources and learning
The Home Office's own list of training, campaigns and resources.
Open on gov.ukNotification requirement
How and when to notify the SIA under section 9 of the Act, and what to include.
Open on gov.ukPrincipal use of premises
Guidance on how the principal use of premises affects scope.
Open on gov.ukNotification Requirements Regulations 2026
The regulations setting out what responsible persons must tell the SIA, and when. They apply once section 9(1) of the Act comes into force.
Open on legislation.gov.ukGOV.UK factsheets
Overarching factsheet
The tiers, duties, regulator and timing in one page.
Open on gov.ukScope: premises
Which premises are in scope.
Open on gov.ukScope: events
Which events are qualifying events.
Open on gov.ukAssessing the number of people expected to be present
Formerly known as capacity calculations.
Open on gov.ukResponsible person
Who the responsible person is and what they must do.
Open on gov.ukStandard duty requirements
Public protection procedures: evacuation, invacuation, lockdown and communication.
Open on gov.ukEnhanced duty requirements
Public protection measures, documentation and the designated senior individual.
Open on gov.ukThe regulator, sanctions and enforcement
The SIA's powers and the penalties it can issue.
Open on gov.ukAll factsheets, including Welsh versions
The full factsheet collection on GOV.UK.
Open on gov.ukThe regulator (SIA)
Understanding Martyn's Law and the SIA's role as regulator
The SIA's own explanation of its role, timescales and updates.
Open on gov.ukDraft section 12 statutory guidance consultation
The SIA's consultation on how it will regulate. Final guidance due autumn 2026.
Open on gov.ukThe regulator (ProtectUK)
ProtectUK's summary of the SIA's role.
Open on protectuk.police.ukProtectUK guides, leaflets and videos
ProtectUK: Martyn's Law
The official counter-terrorism hub for Martyn's Law, including scope, tiers and the responsible person.
Open on protectuk.police.ukMartyn's Law resources
Leaflets, infographics and short explainer videos on scope, tiers, procedures and measures.
Open on protectuk.police.ukMartyn's Law frequently asked questions
Answers to common questions.
Open on protectuk.police.ukMartyn's Law one-page leaflet
A one-page summary to share with colleagues.
Open on protectuk.police.ukMartyn's Law myth buster
Common misunderstandings about the Act, corrected.
Open on protectuk.police.ukMartyn's Law top tips
Practical tips for those responsible for premises and events.
Open on protectuk.police.ukGood security practice
General protective security good practice.
Open on protectuk.police.ukTraining and awareness
ACT Awareness e-learning
Free modules on suspicious activity, suspicious items, bomb threats and marauding attacks, for staff at all levels.
Open on protectuk.police.ukACT Security and ACT for education
Free courses for front-line security staff and for education staff, in the ProtectUK e-learning catalogue.
Open on protectuk.police.ukFree training and awareness resources
ProtectUK's collection of free training and awareness material.
Open on protectuk.police.ukSee, Check and Notify (SCaN)
Helps staff spot and report hostile reconnaissance. SCaN for All is free; role-specific courses are available.
Open on npsa.gov.ukProcedures and incident response
RUN HIDE TELL
What to do in a terrorist attack. Not a substitute for premises procedures.
Open on protectuk.police.ukHOT principles and incident procedures
Hidden, Obviously suspicious, Typical: deciding how to respond to unattended items.
Open on protectuk.police.ukMarauding terrorist attacks (including Café Lockdown film)
NPSA guidance and a short film showing how small premises can lock down.
Open on npsa.gov.ukRemove. Remove. Remove.
Early action after exposure to a hazardous substance or an acid attack.
Open on protectuk.police.ukRecognise, Assess, React (RAR)
For control room staff responding to chemical, biological and radiological incidents.
Open on npsa.gov.ukSecurity on Your Side
Communications materials that show visible security to deter hostile reconnaissance.
Open on npsa.gov.ukReporting and threat level
Report suspicious activity (Action Counters Terrorism)
In an emergency call 999. Otherwise call 0800 789 321 or report online.
Open on act.campaign.gov.ukReport terrorist content online
Report online material promoting terrorism.
Open on gov.ukUK national threat level
The current national threat level from terrorism.
Open on mi5.gov.ukSchools and education
How Martyn's Law will affect education settings
DfE's explainer for early years, schools and colleges: scope, tiers, the responsible person and timing.
Open on gov.ukProtective security and preparedness for education settings
Non-statutory DfE guidance on security awareness, suspicious activity and low-cost preparedness plans (England).
Open on gov.ukACT e-learning for education
Free course for education staff, developed by the DfE with NaCTSO, in the ProtectUK catalogue.
Open on protectuk.police.ukEvents and venues
At a glance
Martyn's Law: the key facts
Summarised from official sources, checked 11 October 2026. Follow the source link for the full official wording.
The law
Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025
Known as Martyn's Law, after Martyn Hett, who was killed in the Manchester Arena attack in 2017. Royal Assent: 3 April 2025.
Standard tier
200–799 people
Premises where 200 to 799 individuals (including staff) may reasonably be expected to be present at the same time.
Enhanced tier
800+ people
Premises where 800 or more individuals may reasonably be expected to be present at the same time, and qualifying events of 800 or more.
Regulator
Security Industry Authority (SIA)
The SIA will support, advise and guide those responsible, investigate suspected non-compliance and take enforcement action.
When it applies
Expected spring 2027
The requirements are not yet in force. The implementation period is expected to be at least 24 months from Royal Assent; the SIA expects the Act to take effect in spring 2027.
Where it applies
Across the whole UK
Part 1 of the Act extends to England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Schools and places of worship
Always standard tier
Premises used for childcare, primary or secondary education, further education or as places of worship are treated as standard tier even if 800 or more people are expected.
Training
No statutory training requirement
Staff with a role in the procedures must be made aware of them and given the understanding and tools to carry them out.
Martyn's Law tiers: standard and enhanced
The duties fall on the "responsible person" for the premises or event, and apply "so far as reasonably practicable". The Act does not require physical alterations or equipment purchases at the standard tier.
Standard tier · 200–799 people
Public protection procedures
-
Evacuation
Moving people out of the premises or event, away from danger.
-
Invacuation
Moving people to a safer place within the premises or event.
-
Lockdown
Securing the premises or event to stop people entering or leaving.
-
Communication
Making sure information is given to people at the premises or event.
Plus: notify the SIA when you become, or stop being, responsible for the premises.
Enhanced tier and qualifying events · 800+ people
Procedures, plus public protection measures
-
Monitoring
Detecting and identifying suspicious activity and items.
-
Movement
Controlling how people enter, leave and move around.
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Physical safety and security
Strengthening the premises or event against attack.
-
Security of information
Protecting information, such as plans, that could help someone plan an attack.
- Document the procedures and measures in place, with an assessment of how they reduce risk, and give it to the SIA (and again within 30 days of any revision).
- Where the responsible person is an organisation, designate a senior individual to oversee compliance.
When does Martyn's Law come into effect? Timeline
- 1
3 April 2025
Royal Assent
The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 becomes law.
- 2
15 April 2026
Statutory guidance published
Home Office section 27 guidance, with supplementary documents A to C.
- 3
July 2026
Notification guidance
Home Office guidance on notifying the SIA under section 9.
- 4
Spring 2027 (expected)
Requirements come into force
Expected date for the duties to apply, once brought into force by regulations.
Martyn's Law penalties and the SIA
Standard tier
Up to £10,000
Daily penalties of up to £500 for continued non-compliance after a notice.
Enhanced tier and qualifying events
Up to £18 million or 5% of worldwide revenue
Daily penalties of up to £50,000 for continued non-compliance after a notice.
Seen something suspicious?
In an emergency, always call 999. Otherwise, report it to Counter Terrorism Policing in confidence:
Test your thinking in minutes
Two free tools built on themes from the official guidance. Answer a few questions and get instant, general prompts to consider. Information only, not advice.
Martyn's Law Awareness Check
A quick quiz on general protective security themes, with an instant awareness score.
Try a question
Which statement best describes stronger role clarity?
Martyn's Law Readiness Review
A guided set of questions across eight themes, ending with a summary of points to consider that you can print or email.
Themes it covers
Strengths · possible blind spots · points to consider
Both tools are free, take minutes and give general prompts based on your answers. They are not advice and do not assess compliance.
Martyn's Law resources: FAQs
About this library and where to find official information.