Martyn’s Law – officially titled the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 – is a new UK legislation designed to help organisations, public venues, workplaces and event spaces better prepare and strengthen their response to the threat of terrorism.
Martyn's Law is named in memory of Martyn Hett, one of the 22 people who lost their lives in the Manchester Arena attack on 22nd May 2017. This new legislation follows the dedicated campaigning of his mother, Figen Murray, to help improve public safety and ensure organisations are better prepared in keeping people safe in the future.
Martyn's Law received Royal Assent on April 3rd 2025, and will introduce a tiered framework of security duties for businesses, venue operators, and employers. With the focus on helping better protect the public from terror-related incidents. Martyn's Law will then become fully operational by 2027 and be regulated by the Security Industry Authority.
If your workplace, venue or event is open to the public, it's important to understand what this means for you and how you can take practical steps to keep visitors and staff safe.
What is Martyn's Law?
Martyn's Law is designed to improve safety across public spaces, by ensuring organisations are better prepared for potential terrorist incidents.
The new law places responsibility on those in control of organisations and events to:
- Understand the potential risks
- Put proportionate safety measures in place
- Be ready to respond effectively in an emergency
The focus of Martyn's Law is on preparedness, not prediction. By helping organisations strengthen their responsive measures, they'll be helping to reduce harm and protect lives if an incident occurs.
Does Martyn's Law Apply To You?
Martyn's Law applies to publicly accessible premises and events across the UK, including workplaces, schools, retail spaces, hospitality venues and large events. It will also be divided into two tiers:
Standard Tier:
- Applies to venues with a capacity of 200-799 people
- Must implement clear and practical protection procedures, such as evacuation and lockdown plans
- Needs a focus on clear communication, ensuring staff are aware of these measures
- No requirement for physical security measures
Enhanced Tier:
- Applies to venues and events with a capacity of 800+ people
- Venues must implement a full risk assessment and develop a security plan
- Safety measures need to be put in place, such as CCTV, bag searches, and counter-terrorism training for staff
Businesses affected by the law also include nightclubs, sports venues, theatres, hotels, libraries, museums, places of worship, and public events.
Education settings and places of worship will automatically be classified under the standard tier, regardless of capacity.
Martyn's Law Guides and Resources
Explore our latest guidance and articles to help you better understand and prepare for Martyn's Law.
Understanding Martyn's Law:
- What is Martyn's Law and when does it come into force?
- Standard vs Enhanced tiers explained
- Qualifying premises and organisations
Who does Martyn's Law apply to?
- Retail and shopping centres
- Events, festivals and large gatherings
- Hospitality venues and hotels
- Education, healthcare and community settings
How to prepare for Martyn's Law
How can you prepare for Martyn's Law?
Martyn's Law is more than prevention, but about being ready to respond. In an emergency, fast, effective and confident action can make a life-saving difference. Having first aid-trained staff and the right first aid equipment in place is a key part of being prepared. Here's how you can ensure you and your team are prepared for any emergency incident:
The Importance of First Aid Training
Martyn’s Law is fundamentally about preparedness. Ensuring organisations, events and workplaces have emergency plans and safety procedures in place to minimise harm in the event of an attack or other emergency. While security measures such as bag searches and CCTV can help deter threats, the ability to respond quickly to casualties is just as critical.
By ensuring staff are trained in first aid, you can help them:
- Respond quickly and effectivaly to injuries
- Support people in critical situations
- Act confidently while waiting for emergency services
By providing first aid training, you'll be reducing the risk of casualties in the aftermath of an attack. As part of your Martyn’s Law compliance strategy, it's important to consider the following:
Recommended First Aid Training
- First Response Emergency Care Level 3 (FREC3) Course – This informative, hands-on 5-day course fulfils the competencies set out in the Faculty of Pre-Hospital Care (PHEM) skills framework at descriptor level D. It includes administration of emergency oxygen, management of trauma patients, major illnesses and much more. Find out more.
- First Aid at Work (FAW) – A comprehensive course ensuring workplaces have trained personnel capable of responding to everyday medical emergencies. This is vital in any workplace preparing for the requirements of Martyn’s Law. Find out more.
Invest in Lifesaving First Aid Equipment
As well as first aid training, organisations and businesses should also invest in lifesaving first aid equipment to strengthen their emergency response.
- Public Access Trauma (PAcT) Kits – Designed for mass casualty incidents, these first aid kits contain haemostatic dressings, tourniquets, and other essential equipment to control severe bleeding. Explore our PAcT Kits.
- Workplace First Aid Kits - Having an accessible workplace first aid kit ensures your team can respond quickly to injuries and provide immediate care when it matters most. See recommended first aid kits for emergency response.
- Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) – Cardiac arrest can occur due to severe trauma or stress. Having a defibrillator on-site can dramatically improve survival rates. Prepare your team with an AED.
- AED Cabinets – Storing defibrillators in a visible and accessible location ensures a rapid response when needed. View our AED cabinets.
- FREC3 First Responder Emergency Care Kit – These Traumafix kits come in a purpose built tactical rucksack, and include a comprehensive array of pre-hospital essential trauma medical supplies, designed for use by trained First Responders in emergency situations. Find out more.
Caring for Employee Mental Health and Wellbeing
Experiencing or responding to a traumatic incident can take a severe toll on employees’ mental health. Employers have a duty of care not just for physical safety but also for mental well-being.
Providing access to Mental Health First Aiders in the workplace ensures that employees receive support when dealing with stress, anxiety, or trauma after an incident. You can help support your staff in various ways:
- Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Training – Equip your staff with the skills to recognise and support colleagues struggling with mental health challenges. Find out more.
- Post-Incident Support Plans – Develop procedures to provide emotional and psychological support following a traumatic event.
- Workplace Wellbeing Initiatives – Implement strategies to reduce long-term impacts of workplace trauma and stress.
Having trained mental health first aiders on-site is an important part of an employer’s duty of care, ensuring a well-rounded approach to employee wellbeing under Martyn’s Law.
What Employers Need to Do Now
While the government is expected to allow a 24-month grace period for implementation following the law’s enactment, businesses should begin preparing now. Here’s a step-by-step approach:
- Assess Your Venue’s Tier – Determine whether your premises fall under the standard or enhanced tier and identify your responsibilities under Martyn’s Law.
- Develop a Security and Emergency Plan – Ensure your organisation has procedures in place for evacuation, lockdown, and mass casualty response.
- Train Key Personnel – Enrol staff in appropriate First Aid Training Courses to improve emergency preparedness, such as:
First Response Emergency Care Level 3 (FREC3), First Aid at Work, or Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) - Invest in Critical Equipment – Equip your venue with PAcT kits, Defibrillators, and other essential First Aid Supplies to enhance your readiness.
- Prioritise Mental Wellbeing – Ensure trained Mental Health First Aiders are available to support employees who experience trauma or stress.
- Stay Informed – Keep up to date with official guidance and ensure ongoing training and drills for staff.
In an emergency, having the right first aid equipment in place can help support your team to provide quick and effective treatment. Having accessible first aid kits and defibrillators will help in situations where seconds matter.
And if you're unsure about what's right for your workplace, we can help you understand your options as part of your wider preparedness planning. Below we have a list of what first aid equipment and supplies we feel are important for any workplace to provide.
First Aid Equipment to support your emergency response
St John Ambulance HEART Two Semi-automatic Defibrillator
St John Ambulance Large Workplace First Aid Kit Grab Bag BS-8599-1:2019
St John Ambulance Public Access Trauma PAcT First Aid Kit with Tourni-key
Evacusafe Excel Tracked Evacuation Chair
St John Ambulance HEART Hardcase
St John Ambulance Green Heart Wall Bracket (for use with case)
St John Ambulance Ten Second Triage Kit
St John Ambulance Carrying Sheet
Evacuation Chair Sign Vinyl 450 x 150mm
AED Automated External Defibrillator Sign Vinyl 300 x 250mm
Fire Exit Left Sign Vinyl 450 x 150mm
Fire Exit Right Sign Vinyl 450 x 150mm
Fire Exit Down Sign Vinyl 450 x 150mm
Final Fire Exit Sign Vinyl 450 x 150mm
First Aid Equipment to support your emergency response
First aid kits and supplies suitable for your organisation, venue, or workplace.
Find out more
Support from St John Ambulance
At St John Ambulance, we’ve been helping organisations prepare for emergencies for over 140 years.
We support workplaces and venues to:
- Build confidence in emergency response
- Train teams with practical, recognised skills
- Ensure the right equipment is in place
Whether you’re just starting or reviewing your emergency response and safety approach, St John Ambulance is here to help you prepare for Martyn's Law.
Prepare for Martyn's Law with Confidence
The introduction of Martyn's Law marks an important step towards better preparedness and strengthening how the UK responds to incidents, with the aim of protecting people and saving lives. It places a responsibility on businesses, workplaces, events and organisers to help protect their staff and visitors.
By taking small, practical steps now, such as improving safety procedures, supporting staff, reviewing response plans and ensuring you have the right first aid equipment, organisations can feel more confident in their ability to respond if the worst happens, while also working towards compliance.
Here at St John Ambulance, we will provide support for you at every stage. From expert-led first aid training to first aid supplies, guidance and equipment, we can help you prepare for Martyn's Law. By taking important steps in a manageable way that's focused on what matters most: protecting people.
Martyn's Law FAQs
What is Martyn's Law?
Martyn's Law is a new UK legislation that requires certain venues, workplaces and organisations to put safety measures in place to mitigate the threat of terrorist attacks.
When does Martyn's Law come into effect?
Martyn's Law received Royal Assent in April 2025 and is due to come into force in April 2027. Giving organisations 24 months to prepare.
Does Martyn's Law apply to small businesses?
This will depend on the capacity of the venue. Venues that have fewer than 200 people at once are generally out of scope, but can still take steps to improve safety. You can find out more about the two tiers here.
What venues does Martyn's Law apply to?
Martyn's Law will apply to venues that fall under two different tiers: Standard and Enhanced.
Standard tiers apply to venues that hold 200-799 people at once, whereas Enhanced tiers are for venues that hold 800+ people at one time.
What are the main requirements of Martyn's Law?
Depending on what tier you fall under, requirements will be different. For the Standard tier, you should ensure staff know how to respond in emergencies, develop an evacuation plan, understand how to report suspicious behaviours and communicate during a lockdown or evacuation.
For Enhanced tiers, you will need to implement more rigorous safety measures, like CCTV security cameras, bag checks, risk assessments and even appointing someone to oversee compliance with Martyn's Law.
The main outcome of Martyn's Law is preparedness.
Do I need security equipment?
As mentioned above, venues that need to implement safety equipment are those that hold 800+ people at one time. These can be venues such as festivals, stadiums, or concert halls.
What training is recommended?
For both tiers, first aid training is recommended as it's an effective preparedness procedure to undertake. This is to ensure staff know how to respond if there is an incident that requires first aid care.
Staff should also understand emergency procedures and evacuation plans, so the response is quick and effective.
What does Martyn's Law mean for schools?
There are special considerations for educational settings like early years, primary, secondary and further education. These venues will all remain under the Standard tier, even if the capacity is greater than 800 people. This also applies to events that may be held at these venues.
