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EMERGENCY PLANNING

What councils need to know about Martyn's law

Nathan Emmerich looks at the role councils are playing during the implementation period of Martyn’s Law – the legislation aimed at protecting the public against the terrorist threat by making venues safer.

(c) Watto Photos / Shutterstock

The introduction of counter terrorism legislation – the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 commonly referred to as Martyn's Law – will strengthen the way venue owners and event organisers safeguard the public against potential terrorist threats.

Martyn's Law mandates a proactive approach to security, requiring venues to implement proportionately robust measures. It establishes a two-tiered system for venues to better understand and respond to terrorist threats. Standard tier requirements apply to venues with a capacity between 200 and 799 and require baseline security protocols, such as bag searches. Enhanced tier requirements apply to venues with a capacity greater than 800 and require comprehensive safety protocols.

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