The framework around Martyn's Law is firming up, and close-protection and venue-security professionals should know exactly where it stands.
The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 sets two tiers, and the GOV.UK guidance updated on 17 July confirms them. The standard tier covers qualifying premises where between 200 and 799 people may reasonably be present at once. The enhanced tier covers premises and events where 800 or more may be present. Standard-tier duties centre on simple, low-cost preparedness: procedures to reduce harm and get people to safety. Enhanced-tier sites carry additional requirements, including documented measures and a security assessment.
On timing, the core provisions have begun commencing from the middle of 2026, and the Security Industry Authority is standing up the regulatory function that will advise on and inspect compliance. The SIA ran a consultation on its section 12 guidance, which explains how it intends to act as regulator, and the final version is due in autumn 2026. The Act is expected to come into force fully in spring 2027, with an online notification portal opening for responsible persons from early 2027.
For operators the practical point is that the clock is real but enforcement is not here yet. That gap is the working window. Venues, event organisers and the security teams that serve them should be mapping which tier they fall into, drafting the procedures now, and treating spring 2027 as the deadline rather than the starting gun. Providers who can walk a client through scoping, assessment and procedure-writing have a clear service line opening up.
