What is Martyn’s Law?

Martyn’s Law, officially known as the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, is new UK legislation designed to improve public safety by requiring venues and events to take steps to protect people from the risk of terrorism.

The law applies to most publicly accessible locations and events with a capacity of over 200 people. It places a legal duty on organisations to assess the risk of a terrorist attack and take proportionate, reasonable steps to reduce harm and improve emergency preparedness — much like existing duties around fire and health & safety.

Martyn’s Law is named in honour of Martyn Hett, one of the victims of the 2017 Manchester Arena attack. The aim of the law is to reduce the impact of future attacks by ensuring venues and organisers are better prepared to prevent, respond to, and recover from serious incidents.

The Act introduces a tiered approach, with different requirements depending on the size and type of premises or event. Duty holders must take into account their venue’s activities, risks, and resources to determine what is appropriate and reasonably practicable for them.

To help organisations understand their responsibilities under the new law, we offer a free eLearning course — “Understanding Martyn’s Law”. It provides a clear, accessible overview of the legislation, who it applies to, and what steps should be taken to comply. It's ideal for staff at all levels who need a grounding in the new requirements.

In practical terms, Martyn’s Law focuses on key areas such as training, risk assessment, and emergency planning, ensuring that staff know what to do and how to protect the public if the worst happens.