Martyn's Law Readiness
The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 places a new legal duty on those responsible for public premises and events. Hermes helps you determine your tier, find your gaps, and build a clear, prioritised path to readiness — before the duty comes into force.
What Is Martyn's Law?
Martyn's Law is the informal name for the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025. It creates a legal duty on those responsible for certain public premises and events to take proportionate steps to reduce the risk of harm to the public from terrorism, and to be better prepared to respond if an attack occurs.
It is named in memory of Martyn Hett, one of 22 people killed in the 2017 Manchester Arena attack. The Act received Royal Assent in April 2025 and includes an implementation period before the duties take effect — giving responsible persons a finite window to prepare.
Read our complete guide to Martyn's Law — what it is, who it applies to, the tiers, the timeline, and what organisations need to do.
Two Duty Tiers
Which tier applies to you depends on the reasonably expected capacity of your premises or event. The first step of any readiness engagement is establishing your tier with confidence.
Standard Tier Premises
Qualifying premises with a reasonably expected capacity of 200 to 799 people. The focus is on simple, low-cost public protection procedures that could reduce harm in the event of an attack — evacuation, invacuation, lockdown, and communication.
Enhanced Tier Premises & Events
Qualifying premises and events with a reasonably expected capacity of 800 or more. In addition to procedures, enhanced-tier duty-holders must put in place public protection measures, document them, and appoint a designated senior individual accountable for compliance.
From Uncertainty to a Clear Plan
A readiness engagement follows the same structured, auditable methodology behind our protective security assessment framework — adapted to the specific obligations of the Act.
Scope & Tier Determination
Establish whether your premises or event is in scope, and whether standard or enhanced duty applies based on reasonably expected capacity.
Structured Readiness Review
A guided review of your current arrangements against the obligations set out in the Act — procedures, measures, roles, and documentation.
Gap Analysis
A clear picture of where you meet the duty today and where the gaps are, prioritised by risk and effort to close.
Action Plan
A prioritised, plain-language action plan telling the responsible person exactly what to do next — no jargon, no ambiguity.
Hermes Readiness Score
A single, board-level readiness score that tracks your progress toward full compliance over time.
Responsible Person Support
Guidance for the responsible person and designated senior individual on their duties, governance, and inspection readiness.
What the Responsible Person Receives
Everything a responsible person needs to demonstrate they are taking their duty seriously — and to keep taking it seriously as circumstances change.
Hermes Readiness Score
A board-readable score summarising how prepared your premises is to meet its duties under the Act.
Gap Analysis
Every obligation mapped to your current position: met, partially met, or not yet addressed.
Prioritised Action Plan
Ordered, practical steps to close each gap, sequenced by risk and by effort.
Board Summary
A concise summary for leadership and trustees — what the duty means, where you stand, and what happens next.
Responsible Person Dashboard
A living view of readiness, actions, evidence, and score — so the duty is managed continuously, not once a year.
Public Protection Procedures Guidance
Support in developing evacuation, invacuation, lockdown, and communication procedures appropriate to your premises.
The Lead-In Is Finite
The Act includes an implementation period — expected to be at least 24 months — before its duties come into force, with the Security Industry Authority (SIA) anticipated as the regulator. That window is not a reason to wait; it is the time in which prepared organisations get ahead. Building readiness early means the duty is business-as-usual by the time it applies, not a last-minute scramble.
Common Questions
What is Martyn's Law?
Martyn's Law is the informal name for the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, which received Royal Assent in April 2025. It places a legal duty on those responsible for certain public premises and events to take steps to reduce the risk of harm to the public from terrorism, and to be better prepared to respond if an attack occurs. It is named in memory of Martyn Hett, one of 22 people killed in the 2017 Manchester Arena attack.
Who does Martyn’s Law apply to?
The Act applies to qualifying public premises and events that meet a reasonably expected capacity threshold. Premises expecting 200 to 799 people fall under the standard duty; premises and events expecting 800 or more fall under the enhanced duty. This covers a wide range of venues — including entertainment and sports venues, retail, hospitality, places of worship, visitor attractions, healthcare, and education settings — where the public has access.
What is the difference between the standard and enhanced tiers?
Standard-tier premises (200–799 capacity) must put in place simple public protection procedures — such as evacuation, invacuation, lockdown, and communication — that could reduce harm in an attack. Enhanced-tier premises and events (800+ capacity) must also implement and document public protection measures, and appoint a designated senior individual accountable for compliance. The enhanced duty carries a higher standard of preparation and record-keeping.
Who is the responsible person under Martyn’s Law?
The responsible person is the individual or organisation with control of the qualifying premises or event. They hold the legal duty to ensure the required public protection procedures — and, for enhanced-tier premises, measures and documentation — are in place. For enhanced-tier duty-holders, a designated senior individual must be appointed to take responsibility for compliance.
When does Martyn’s Law come into force?
The Act received Royal Assent in April 2025 and includes an implementation period — expected to be at least 24 months — before the duties come into force, to give duty-holders time to prepare. The regulator is expected to be the Security Industry Authority (SIA). Because the lead-in is finite, the organisations that prepare early will be the ones ready when the duty applies.
What is a Martyn’s Law readiness assessment?
A readiness assessment is a structured review of your premises or event against the obligations in the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025. It determines which tier applies, checks your current arrangements, identifies gaps, and produces a prioritised action plan and a readiness score so the responsible person knows exactly what to do to meet the duty.
How does Hermes help with Martyn’s Law compliance?
Hermes provides an NPSA-aligned readiness assessment that determines your tier, reviews your current position, produces a gap analysis and prioritised action plan, and gives you a Hermes Readiness Score to track progress. It draws on the same structured, auditable methodology behind our protective security assessment framework. Register your interest to be among the first onboarded.