Guide
Who Does Martyn's Law Apply To?
Learn who falls under Martyn's Law scope, including capacity thresholds, venue types, exemptions, and how to determine if your organisation needs to comply.
Read articleMartyn's Law Compliance: Systems, Assessment and Support
Also known as the Protect Duty
Updated October 2026: notification guidance and principal-use regulations
Martyn's Law (Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025) requires those responsible for certain public premises and events to be prepared to protect staff and the public if a terrorist attack happens.
We support venue risk assessment, ACT awareness training planning, SIA notification readiness and emergency communication system design. The Section 27 statutory guidance has been in place since 15 April 2026, the notification deadlines were published on 14 July 2026, and the SIA expects the Act to come into force in spring 2027, with the exact date to be confirmed.
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Protecting People Through Preparedness
Named in honour of Martyn Hett, one of the victims of the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing, Martyn's Law seeks to improve public security by mandating counter-terrorism training, risk assessments, and emergency preparedness plans for publicly accessible venues.
The legislation introduces two tiers based on capacity: standard tier for premises expecting 200 to 799 people, and enhanced tier for premises expecting 800 or more and for qualifying events of 800 or more, each with specific requirements for protecting staff and the public. Events are never standard tier.
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At a Glance
Who it applies to
Publicly accessible premises (with at least one building) mainly used for a Schedule 1 activity (e.g. shops, restaurants, venues) where it's reasonable to expect 200+ people from time to time; and qualifying public events at premises (including land without buildings) expecting 800+ people with entry checks.
Two tiers
Standard duty (premises, 200 to 799) and enhanced duty (premises with 800+, and qualifying public events of 800+). Places of worship and childcare, early years, primary, secondary and further education premises stay standard tier at any capacity (SIA guidance, 17 July 2026). Full comparison: standard vs enhanced tier.
Regulator
The Security Industry Authority (SIA). Inspections will normally come with at least 72 hours' notice. Final Section 12 enforcement guidance is due in autumn 2026.
Notification deadlines (guidance of 14 July 2026)
Both tiers notify the SIA through an online portal on GOV.UK, at no fee: within three months of commencement for premises in scope on that date, within 28 days for anyone who becomes responsible later, and within 14 days of first publicity for qualifying events.
Commencement
Expected spring 2027. The SIA said on 17 July 2026 that it will confirm the exact date ahead of time; commencement regulations had not been laid as of 23 October 2026. The Principal Use of Premises Regulations 2026, which settle the responsible person for mixed-use premises, have been in force since 15 October 2026.
Sanctions
Civil penalties up to £10,000 (standard) and up to £18m or 5% of worldwide revenue (enhanced/events), plus daily penalties for ongoing non-compliance and restriction notices that can prevent a venue opening or an event proceeding. Senior individuals at enhanced-tier organisations face personal criminal liability of up to two years' imprisonment for breaches involving consent, connivance or neglect.
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Requirements by Venue Size
Select your venue size below to understand your specific requirements and obligations under Martyn's Law.
Emergency Communication Systems for Martyn's Law
Digital signage, voice alarm systems, voice evacuation systems and integrated public address systems form the emergency communication system that fulfils Martyn's Law duties: real-time communication, public guidance and incident response coordination.
See our dedicated pages on lockdown alert systems, emergency communication and mass notification systems and hearing loops for inclusive emergency messaging.
1
Real-Time Emergency Communication
In high-risk scenarios, the speed of communication can save lives. Integrated with emergency alert systems, digital signage networks can be instantly overridden to display urgent messages such as evacuation instructions, assembly point directions, or threat notifications.
These dynamic displays are far more effective than static signage, enabling rapid dissemination of accurate, location-specific information.
2
Crowd Management & Wayfinding
During both everyday operations and emergency events, digital signage supports effective crowd control. Strategically placed screens and kiosks can display tailored content based on live footfall data or real-time instructions from a control room.
This ensures orderly flow of people, reduces congestion, and mitigates panic in time-critical situations.
3
Staff & Visitor Education
A key aspect of Martyn's Law is ensuring that staff are trained and that the public is informed. Digital signage enables ongoing safety messaging through pre-scheduled content such as safety tips, what-to-do infographics, and emergency protocol videos.
This reinforces preparedness in a visually engaging and accessible format.
4
Surveillance & Control Integration
Digital signage becomes even more powerful when integrated with broader AV infrastructure, including CCTV, access control, and PA systems.
This creates a seamless central command ecosystem, allowing security personnel to push messages to screens based on insights from surveillance feeds or access points.
5
Accessible, Inclusive Communication
AV solutions can support accessibility by delivering multi-language messaging and visual cues for individuals with hearing impairments.
Compliance with Martyn's Law requires a focus on inclusivity, and signage can play a key role in meeting these expectations.
6
Public Address Systems
Clear, reliable audio systems for directing people to safer areas, providing instructions and maintaining communication during emergencies.
Integrated PA systems work seamlessly with digital signage to provide both visual and auditory guidance during critical incidents.
Comprehensive Safety Ecosystem
Digital signage is only one component of a comprehensive AV strategy. At Strive AV, we work with clients to design integrated safety ecosystems, combining LED display solutions, digital displays, public address systems, and sensor-based analytics to create smart, secure environments.
Discuss Your Martyn's Law RequirementsTypical Premises and Events in Scope
(Examples, not exhaustive. Scope ultimately depends on use and expected numbers.)
Council Buildings
Educational Institutions
NHS Locations
Places of Religious Worship
Retail Outlets
Stadiums & Event Venues
Transport Hubs
Entertainment Venues
Implementation Timeline
Updated 23 October 2026
Royal Assent
3 April 2025
The Act received Royal Assent and became law, with a commitment to at least 24 months before the duties take effect.
Statutory guidance live
15 April 2026
Home Office published the Section 27 statutory guidance plus three supplementary papers. Correction slip 6 August, corrected 130-page PDF 7 August, Welsh translations 25 August 2026.
SIA consultation closed
12 June 2026
The SIA's consultation on its draft Section 12 enforcement guidance closed with nearly 200 detailed responses.
Notification guidance
14 July 2026
Home Office guidance on how and when to notify the SIA: three months from commencement for premises, 28 days for new responsible persons, 14 days from first publicity for events. Online portal, no fee.
SIA regulator guidance
17 July 2026
Commencement expected spring 2027, exact date to be confirmed. Inspections on at least 72 hours' notice. Places of worship and most education premises standard tier at any capacity. Qualifying events carry enhanced-tier requirements.
Principal use regulations
15 October 2026
Guidance published 10 September 2026; the Principal Use of Premises Regulations 2026 came into force 15 October 2026, settling the responsible person for mixed-use premises.
SIA final enforcement guidance
Due autumn 2026
Not yet published as of 23 October 2026. The SIA's 11 September update also promised a scope-checking tool in the new year, optional templates over the coming months and portal testing with volunteers.
Coming into force
Expected spring 2027
The SIA will confirm the exact date ahead of time. Commencement regulations had not been laid as of 23 October 2026. Premises then have three months to notify.
Sources: Home Office (Section 27 statutory guidance; notification requirement guidance, 14 July 2026; principal use guidance, 10 September 2026), SIA (Understanding Martyn's Law, 17 July 2026; monthly updates to 11 September 2026), legislation.gov.uk (SI 2026/1005), ProtectUK. Full dated list on our compliance checklist.
What to Do Now
1
Run a venue risk assessment
Document your expected numbers (including staff) and whether you reach 200+ (premises) or 800+ (premises or events) from time to time, then assess vulnerabilities at each site.
2
Identify your responsible person
For mixed-use premises, apply the principal-use test in the regulations in force since 15 October 2026. For enhanced tier, also identify your designated senior individual; they carry personal liability that cannot be delegated.
3
Roll out ACT awareness training
ACT (Action Counters Terrorism) Awareness Training is the recognised baseline for Martyn's Law preparedness: free, government-backed, delivered through ProtectUK.
4
Draft or update procedures
Create procedures for evacuation, invacuation, lockdown and communication (EILC) and brief/train staff appropriately.
5
Prepare your SIA notification
Premises in scope at commencement have three months to notify; new responsible persons 28 days; qualifying events 14 days from first publicity (Home Office guidance, 14 July 2026). Gather the capacity figure and method, licences and coordination contacts now. For enhanced tier, also draft your narrative compliance document.
6
Audit your emergency communication system
Assess your public address system, voice alarm and voice evacuation coverage, and digital signage emergency-override capability; invest where rapid response would be slowed today.
Sources: GOV.UK (Section 27 statutory guidance; notification requirement guidance, 14 July 2026; SIA guidance, 17 July 2026). Step-by-step detail and a free PDF on our compliance checklist.
Why Choose Strive AV for Martyn's Law Compliance
With over 20 years of experience delivering intelligent AV solutions to public and private sector clients, we understand the unique requirements of safety-driven environments. Our integrated approach combines digital signage, public address systems, and security infrastructure to create comprehensive safety ecosystems.
As Martyn's Law moves closer to implementation, it's essential that venues act now to audit their spaces, assess communication channels, and invest in technologies that support rapid response and risk mitigation.
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Our Partner
Strive AV & Masscoms
Masscoms is Strive AV's specialist partner for Martyn's Law compliance. Their Martyn's Law-ready emergency response system pairs with our public address, digital signage and occupancy analytics so your venue's protective duty is covered end to end.
Combined response and visitor-communication coverage, deployed and supported by a single integration team.
Visit MasscomsTrusted AV Partner to Leading Organisations
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