Far too often it takes a tragedy to influence real and lasting change.
In the case of Martyn’s Law, it comes after the Manchester arena attack in 2017 and is named after Martyn Hett, one of 22 victims that night. Figen Murray, Martyn’s mother, has spent years campaigning for this groundbreaking legislation to come in place that requires venues and events to prepare for the threat of terrorist attacks, and is designed to stop similarly devastating events from ever happening again.
The official aims for Martyn’s Law is “to improve security and preparedness in the UK by requiring that those responsible for certain premises and events consider how they would respond to a terrorist attack.” While Martyn’s Law reached Royal Assent on April 3, 2025, there is no set date for it to come into force.
Here, Laura Gibb, executive director for Martyn’s Law at the Security Industry Authority, speaks to us on the need for Martyn’s Law and what festivals need to consider.
“There’s no question that the spotlight on public safety is increasing, whether it’s the evolving nature of the threat or the rise in public expectations around what ‘good’ looks like. This will become more acute for anyone affected by Martyn’s Law.
Martyn’s Law is expected to come into force in Spring 2027 to reduce the risk of harm at public premises and events in the event of a terrorist attack. Named after Martyn Hett, one of the 22 people killed in the Manchester Arena attack, Martyn’s Law aims to make people safer by ensuring qualifying premises and events have appropriate plans in place to respond to acts of terrorism.
The new law, campaigned for tirelessly by Martyn’s mother Figen Murray OBE, comes at a critical time. Those in scope of the Act will be thinking about how to prepare to comply and about the change to the National Threat Level which was raised to severe in April. In this context and, as we draw ever nearer to Martyn’s Law becoming a reality, there is a need to ensure protective security is on everyone’s agenda.
The first step is to confirm if your festival is in scope – not all festivals will be. There are four key considerations.
Events will only be in scope if 800 or more people are expected at the busiest times, there are controls on entry, the event is open to the public and the event is not being held at premises which are themselves in scope as enhanced tier premises. It doesn’t matter if the event takes place in a building, on land (such as a field, park, or farmland), or at premises that consist of a combination of the two (such as a sportsground with a clubhouse).
The focus for those who are in scope is on what’s appropriate and reasonably practicable for your event. Martyn’s Law isn’t about stopping events – it’s about making them safer. Where good protective security measures and preparedness procedures already exist, these will be solid foundations.
For qualifying events, you will be expected to have appropriate public protection procedures in place and to have thought about things like lockdown and communication. You will also need measures in place to reduce the risk of vulnerability, implementing things like monitoring and movement control.
The Home Office has produced guidance outlining steps necessary for premises and events to comply which must be on everyone’s ‘to read’ list.
Martyn’s Law aims to raise the standard of preparedness and protective security across venues and places in the UK. We can keep people safer if we work together. We’re currently inviting those who are in scope to help test and develop our systems and processes. We need hundreds of volunteers to help us. It’s an opportunity to get involved and provide feedback to the SIA prior to launch, and to shape the way we regulate.
Those interested in receiving updates on Martyn’s Law from the Security Industry Authority can sign up here. Further materials can be found on Protect UK.
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