The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 commonly known as 'Martyn's Law' will affect all publicly accessible locations (PAL's) that allow over 200 members of the public into their premises, whether on payment, invitation, ticket or free entry at any one time, and this will include all small businesses and venues like medium sized: shops/department stores, restaurants, pubs, hotels, cinemas, theatres, music venues, churches, mosques, temples, museums, health clinics, small hospitals, town & public halls, council, civic & community buildings, building used for childcare or primary, secondary or further education, as well as small sports halls/venues and recreation & leisure facilities amongst others (as yet unidentified) types of premises, therefore a total shake up of Martyn's Law for small businesses UK. View our dedicated web page.
PRINCIPAL AIMS OF MARTYN'S LAW
We must not forget that this legislation is "to mitigate the risk of terrorism.....to provide adequate protection to the public" and although a vast number of small businesses in the UK already have some effective security aspects, this new "Protect Duty" (as is often quoted) for the first time is mandated by law. There will be a tough civil and criminal sanctions regime introduced to ensure compliance and enforcement by the Security Industry Authority (SIA).
This law is simply to protect staff, customers, members the public and assets (goods, buildings/premises) of the relevant businesses and in the future will create a more safer & secure environment for all, but to get to that position there has to be a change of: attitude, information, procedures, planning, responsibilities & education from the management and owners of any businesses. These changes need to satisfy HM Government and the SIA of "Public Protection Procedures at the premises are reasonably practicable to reduce the risk of physical harm being caused to individuals if an act of terrorism were to occur on the premises, at the event or in the immediate vicinity of the premises or event". - Section 5(2) of the Act.
REPONSIBILITY OF PREMISES OWNERS/OPERATORS
This is the first piece of HM Government legislation under the guise of Terrorist, Protection and Security aspects that place owners/operators of premises to be responsible for trying to prevent or reduce acts of terrorism & major crime incidents on their premises, this seems a very erroneous task to place on premises owners, but Martyn's Law for small businesses uk has done just that.
The Act states, "A person is responsible for qualifying premises if the person has control of the premises in connection with their relevant (Schedule 1) use:" Under Schedule 1 of the Act there are seventeen (17) stated types of premises clearly identified covering shops to public authorities etc.
PERSON RESPONSIBLE & STANDARD TIER PROCEDURES
Ther following actions are required by the 'Person Responsible’ to comply with Martyn's Law for small businesses in the UK:
• Person Responsible must notify the Security Industry Authority
• If Owners/Operators are not an individual, then must designate an individual "who is concerned in the management or control or having responsibility for ensuring that complies with the requirements imposed"
• So far as is reasonably practicable, ensure that appropriate public protection procedures are in place (Standard duty)
• So far as is reasonably practicable, ensure that appropriate public protection measures are in place (Enhanced duty)
• If more than one person is responsible....those persons, must, so far as is reasonably practicable, co-ordinate with each other in complying with the requirements imposed
STANDARD TIER PROCEDURES
• To be followed by individuals working on the premises or at an event:
o For evacuating individuals from the premises or event:
o For moving individuals to a place on the premises or at the event where there is less risk of physical harm being caused to them:
o For preventing individuals from entering or leaving the premises or event:
o For providing information to individuals on the premises or at an event:
SECURITY INDUSTRY AUTHORITY COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS
(https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/security-industry-authority )
The person responsible for the premises must ensure that a document is prepared and kept up to date containing -
• A statement of the procedures in place in pursuance of the requirements:
• An assessment of how those procedures may be expected to reduce the risk mentioned:
• Such further information as the Secretary of State may specify by regulations.
The person must ensure that a copy of the document is provided to the Security Industry Authority - ensure that a document is prepared and kept up to date containing -
• As soon as it is reasonably practicable after it is prepared, and
• If it is revised, before the end of the period of 30 days beginning with the day of its revision.
HOW TO COMPLY WITH MARTYN'S LAW NOW
At Surelock International Limited, we can inform & advise any business in fully understanding the current aspects of Martyn's Law which will take effect on 3rd April 2027, although 5 months have gone since this Act was passed, early preparation is vital and critical to allow correct compliance. Although we understand that the Statutory Guidance documentation (probably over 150 pages of definitions, actions, intelligence & information) will be issued by the Home Office or the Security Industry Authority (SIA) in early 2026, that will only leave about 12 months for all businesses & premises owners/operators (expected to be around ¾ million in the United Kingdom) to be able to obtain knowledge, awareness, understanding and detail the necessary information to legally comply with Martyn's Law, which will soon be upon us all.
We can assist in dealing with all known aspects of the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 requirements, therefore feel free to contact us direct
