Surelock completes its first Martyn's Law Protect Duty security consultancy project
Surelock International Limited is very pleased to announce that we have successfully completed our first client consultancy project advising on Martyn's Law compliance and the Protect Duty Martyn's Law requirements.
We conducted an in-depth security survey, audit review and compliance report for a local authority event involving over 800 people at any one time, making it a qualifying event under the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, commonly known as Martyn's Law.
The event took place within a small town centre during a late spring/summer May Fair Festival over a Bank Holiday weekend. Across four days, members of the public enjoyed funfair rides, activities, shows, food and drink stalls, and numerous family attractions.
The event has been a popular annual tradition for several hundred years, attracting significant public interest and attendance.
Security consultancy for Martyn's Law compliance
Surelock consultants attended the site on numerous occasions throughout the weekend, assessing the safety and security arrangements protecting members of the public.
The town centre had been designated entirely for the event, generating significant additional footfall and movement throughout the festival.
All Martyn's Law public protection procedures and measures were systematically reviewed to identify how the local authority, relevant organisations and entertainment contractors were meeting the requirements of the new legislation.
Communication procedures were also assessed to determine how staff would identify, respond to and communicate any suspicious activity or potential terrorist threat that could disrupt the event.
Responsible Person and Designated Senior Individual
The local authority identified the Town Council as the Responsible Person and the principal funfair contractor/event operator as the Designated Senior Individual (DSI).
This establishes who will ultimately register with and be accountable to the Security Industry Authority (SIA) for future qualifying events under Martyn's Law Protect Duty.
Contingency planning under Martyn's Law
A straightforward contingency plan was developed detailing how staff should respond to suspicious activity or any untoward incident.
The procedures explain how information should be communicated to the emergency services while ensuring that messaging to members of the public follows safe protocols that avoid creating unnecessary panic and allows emergency responders to manage any major incident effectively.
The review also identified the benefit of reallocating staff so that one or more personnel have sole responsibility for monitoring safety and security throughout the event, enabling rapid identification and response to anything suspicious.
Enhanced Tier public protection measures
Due to the number of people present at any one time, Enhanced Tier premises and qualifying event requirements under Martyn's Law were considered in detail.
These included reviewing:
- Monitoring (CCTV)
- Movement Control, including access control
- Physical Safety and Security, including staffing levels, perimeter security, structures and lighting
- Security of Information relating to the event and publicly available information
These public protection measures closely mirror the findings we regularly produce during comprehensive security surveys and audits for commercial and residential premises.
However, for Martyn's Law compliance, our assessment methods had to be adapted specifically to satisfy the requirements of the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025.
Security of Information
One particularly important aspect of Martyn's Law Protect Duty is the assessment of Security of Information.
This involves reviewing anything relating to the event or premises that could be publicly available.
Our investigative approach and attention to detail identified that, surprisingly, a considerable amount of sensitive operational information is readily available online.
Such information could potentially be exploited by terrorists, criminals or activists seeking to disrupt or attack an event attended by large numbers of people.
Statement and Threat Assessment Compliance Document
Using both the official Martyn's Law Statutory Guidance and the provisional Security Industry Authority Operational Guidance, Surelock has produced a comprehensive Statement and Threat Assessment Compliance Document.
This document can be submitted to the Security Industry Authority (SIA) to demonstrate compliance with Martyn's Law requirements.
Producing this report required more than twice the consultancy time normally associated with a traditional security survey due to the additional operational analysis, documentation review and justification required under the new legislation
Consultants can assist with Martyn's Law compliance
The Home Office and the Security Industry Authority have recently confirmed that consultants and specialist advisers may assist Responsible Persons with Martyn's Law compliance.
However, the legal responsibility for qualifying premises or qualifying events always remains with the Responsible Person.
Important Martyn's Law implementation dates
As implementation approaches on Saturday 3 April 2027, when Martyn's Law comes fully into force, the Home Office and the Security Industry Authority have published the following important information.
1. Qualifying Premises
Those responsible for qualifying premises have three months from commencement to submit their notification to the SIA.
Following the initial notification, any changes, including becoming or ceasing to be the Responsible Person, must be notified within 28 days.
2. Qualifying Events
For qualifying events, the notification period begins when the event is first publicised.
In most cases, notification must be submitted within 14 days of the event being publicly advertised.
(Published in the SIA email "SIA Martyn's Law Update" – Thursday 16 July 2026.)
Surelock's interpretation
Surelock International Limited interprets these requirements as follows:
1. Premises
Responsible Persons for all premises falling within the scope of the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 – Martyn's Law, whether Standard Tier or Enhanced Tier, will have until 3 July 2027 to submit their notification and compliance documentation to the Security Industry Authority.
2. Events
Where event organisers are planning events expected to attract more than 800 people, and those events have already been advertised or tickets are on sale, they should begin the Martyn's Law Protect Duty compliance process immediately, notify the SIA where required, and begin preparing their Statement and Threat Assessment Compliance Document.
Home Office Economic Note
On 14 July 2026, the Home Office circulated an 18-page Economic Note regarding the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 (Martyn's Law).
Among the key points were:
- Estimated SIA administration and notification system costs over ten years: £35.82 million
- Estimated qualifying premises:
- Standard Tier: 124,259–177,515
- Enhanced Tier: 17,036–29,940
- Estimated qualifying events:
- 780–1,270
These remain estimates until the notification system becomes fully operational.
The Home Office also estimates that completing the notification process should take between 19 and 48 minutes, with an average of 33 minutes.
However, this estimate does not include the significant time required to understand the legislation, interpret the guidance, undertake security assessments and prepare suitable documentation to achieve Martyn's Law compliance.
Continuing to support Martyn's Law compliance
Surelock will shortly be contacting the Security Industry Authority to discuss our proposed procedures, documentation and compliance approach to ensure they remain aligned with evolving guidance.
As everyone involved with the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 (Martyn's Law) continues to learn and develop best practice, we remain committed to delivering practical, proportionate and effective security consultancy.
Following completion of this first consultancy project, Surelock International Limited is now well placed to assist owners, operators and event organisers with Martyn's Law, Protect Duty Martyn's Law, and wider security compliance requirements.
Contact Surelock
If you require advice on Martyn's Law, Protect Duty Martyn's Law, or security consultancy for qualifying premises or events, please contact us.
C: www.surelock.org/contact-us
T: 0333 6000 300
Or Direct to Stewart Brown our Senior Security Consultant –
T: 07767786192
