Following on from the great interest in our previous article about Martyns Law and how it affects your business, here is our expert Stewart Brown’s take on Martyn's Law 'Premises/Events' where the public have access
The Terrorism Act (Martyn's Law) is to affect most medium/large types of Premises/Events where the public have access, the owners/operators will need properly to consider all aspects of security/safety measures or face possible sanctions from HM Government through the Security Industry Authority (SIA).
Under Schedule 1 of Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, the "Specified Uses of Premises" identifies seventeen (17) sections (types of premises) being:
• Shops etc
• Food & Drink
• Entertainment & leisure activities
• Sports grounds
• Libraries, museums & galleries etc
• Halls etc
• Visitor attractions
• Hotel etc
• Places of Worship
• Health care
• Bus stations, railway stations etc
• Aerodromes
• Childcare
• Primary & secondary education
• Further education
• Higher education
• Public authorities
The final paragraphs of Schedule 1 (being section 18) states "In determining for the purposes of this Schedule whether premises are used by visiting members of the public, it is irrelevant that access to the premises may be limited (at all times or particular times) to members of the public who-
1. Have paid to access the premises,
2. Have tickets or passes allowing access, or
3. Are members or guests of a club, association or similar body
To simplify these legal phrases, it means that any premises or event with more than 200 persons expected to be present at the same time would be subject to the requirements of this act. Which would likely be medium/large premises/venues of the following nature: Football Clubs, Zoos, Music Venues, Theatre, Cinemas, Music Festivals, Sports Stadiums, Festivals, Fetes, Show Grounds, Open Air Events, Air Shows, Halls, Large Events, Public Authorities, Schools, Educational Establishments, Shopping Malls, Department Stores, Large Pubs/restaurants, Hotels, Night Clubs, Membership Clubs, Churches, Hospitals, Bus Stations, Railway Stations, Airports/Aerodromes, Child Care Facilities and other premises/venues that cater for over 200 staff/visitors (whether on payment or not).
The 'Standard Tier' premises (200 - 799 visitors/persons) will be required to have: (1) Evacuation, (2) Invacuation, (3) Lockdown & (4) Communication types of 'Public Protection Procedures' that are documented and approved by the Security Industry Authority (SIA) regulator in compliance with this act.
The 'Enhanced Tier' premises (over 800 visitors/persons) will be required to have nineteen plus (19+) Public Protection Procedures & Measures in place that are documented and approved by the SIA in compliance with this part of the act.
The full Public Protection Procedures & Measures for premises under this act expected by the SIA will be detailed and legally compliant with all other current legislation (Health & Safety, Data Protection etc & other legislation) if similar to the voluntary SIA Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS) which when first instigated in early 2000's had approximately 89 sections to be considered & documented before approval, therefore a similar process (but with legal regulations) is likely and HM Government has set aside estimated costs of between £32.2 million and £72.1 million with a central estimate of £48.7 million to the SIA for this process.
From the initial start of the Martyn's Law process in 2019 and subsequent formalisation & process of the bill (now act) it was often quoted that statutory guidance will be provided by SIA that "This guidance will assist those responsible to understand the requirement set out in the legislation. It being designed to be easy to follow, needing neither particular expertise nor the use of third-party products or services." This quote is not practical or correct as complying with any law or legal process requires full understanding, knowledge, experience & known practical aspects of all the various premises security/safety issues & Counter Terrorism expertise before being able to advise a process that will be required to document effective Public Protection Procedures & Measures for any premises.
We at Surelock on behalf of our clients are monitoring all authorities, HM Government, SIA, Protect UK, Counter Terrorism Policing (ACT), National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO) and other relevant sites involved in Counter Terrorism & Security activities in the United Kingdom to be fully up to date with this ongoing process and are therefore in a position to inform and advise potential businesses and premises how to comply with this legal requirement under Martyn's Law.
Surelock International Limited has former Police Officers with considerable experience in Crime Prevention, Contingency Planning, Emergency Planning, Business Continuity and Security Consultancy both in the UK and overseas that can assist and develop the procedures required on compliance and regulation of this legislation
We have a formal initial proposal for clients to start this process with costs/fees and expenses, then in the long term we can assist clients properly in dealing with this issue going forward.
If you require more information on this specialist service, please make contact and our experts will discuss the implication and how we can help
