From April 2027, Martyn’s Law, formally known as the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act, will introduce new requirements for venues and event spaces to improve public safety and terrorism preparedness.
These requirements will not be the same for every venue, however, as they will be split across two tiers: standard and enhanced. Each tier will have its own expectations and requirements depending on the type and size of the venue.
At St John Ambulance, our role is to support organisations in building real-world preparedness and response capability, as we understand that it may feel complex or overwhelming. By helping organisations understand what Martyn’s Law will mean to them, we’ll be helping you understand the practical solutions that will make the biggest differences in emergencies, like:
- Clear emergency plans
- Evacuation and lockdown readiness
- First aid and trauma preparedness
- Staff confidence and training
This is all important because when an emergency happens, being prepared in those first few minutes helps save people's lives.
Why Martyn’s Law uses a tiered system
Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, Martyn’s Law uses a simple tiered system based on expected capacity:
- Standard tier: 200-799 people
- Enhanced tier: 800+ people
In simple terms: the larger the venue and the greater the potential impact, the higher the expectation around preparedness. This is why this new tier system is designed to ensure each venue is taking the appropriate, proportionate measures based on the risk level.
Before you do anything else, simply start by working out which tier your venue falls under. From there, you can focus on putting the right measures in place ahead of enforcement, without overcomplication.
What is the Standard Tier of Martyn’s Law?
If you run a smaller venue, for example, a restaurant, pub, community centre or small event space, this is where you’re likely to sit. As the Standard Tier applies to venues and events that hold between 200-799 guests at one time.
The focus here is simple, low-cost preparedness that will make a real difference in improving response times, awareness and public protection, and reducing harm – without unnecessary burdens or big costs.
Here’s what you’ll need to do:
1. Carry out a basic terrorism risk assessment
This doesn’t have to be complicated; you just need to think about:
- Any potential threats
- Venue vulnerabilities (access points, blind spots, layout)
- What immediate steps can staff take in an emergency
Carrying out basic assessments will help promote awareness and encourage quick-decision making during emergencies.
2. Provide counter-terrorism awareness training
What staff should be able to do:
- Recognise suspicious behaviour
- Know how to report concerns
- Understand emergency procedures
Training programmes like ACT (Action Counters Terrorism) Awareness and SCaN (See, Check and Notify) are free NPSA-certified training programmes that provide accessible training that’s aligned with Martyn’s Law goals and legislation.
3. Create simple emergency response plans
A clear, workable response plan covering:
- Lockdown actions
- Evacuation plans
- Safe areas or refuge points
- Outlines how staff communicate during an incident
These measures can be as straightforward as just identifying routes or assigning responsibility to ensure everyone knows their role.
4. No mandatory physical safety measures:
Being under the Standard Tier means there is no requirement for physical upgrades, which helps keep law compliance achievable for smaller venues with a limited budget.
What is the Enhanced Tier of Martyn’s Law?
If you manage a larger venue that holds 800+ people at one time, then you’ll fall under the Enhanced Tier. Due to higher footfall, there will be a bigger focus on proactive and structured safety measures.
Examples of Enhanced Tier venues are:
- Concert stadiums
- Football stadiums
- Major theatres
- Shopping centres
These bigger venues present a greater risk due to larger crowd density and potential impact, which is why Martyn’s Law outlines different requirements that shift to a more structured preparedness and proactive approach.
Here’s what you’ll need to do:
1. Carry out detailed terrorism risk & threat assessments
These need to be:
- Thorough and venue-specific
- Reviewed regularly
- Updated based on emerging intelligence
These detailed assessments will help identify any credible threats and appropriate mitigation strategies.
2. Put strong protective measures in place
Based on risk, larger venues may need to include:
- Controlled entry points (ticketing barriers)
- Managing queue systems
- Bag searches
- CCTV and surveillance upgrades
- Anti-vehicle measures
These are aimed at reducing vulnerability and avoiding the serious impact of an attack.
3. Clearly define staff roles & responsibilities
Larger venues should have teams that are well-trained and understand their roles in incident response. These may include:
- Evacuation leads
- Threat marshals
- Communication coordinators
- Security response leaders
Having a structured and trained response will help reduce confusion, intense panic and speed up quick decision-making, which is vital in any scenario.
4. Run scenario-based training
Practise makes a huge difference, which is why teams should regularly run through:
- Evacuation drills
- Responding to suspicious items
- Emergency responses
These response measures should be refreshed whenever risks change or venue layouts are updated.
5. Make continuous improvement & keep records
Lastly, Enhanced Tier venues must show:
- Evidence of risk assessments
- Protection measure documentation
- Training records
- Updates triggered by new threats or incidents
Real-world examples of venues
Standard Tier Venues:
- Restaurants
- Pubs and bars
- Retail shops
- Community Centres
- Small event venues
These fall in the range of 200-799 capacity, and are primarily in the retail and hospitality industries.
Enhanced Tier Venues:
- Football stadiums
- Concert halls
- Theatres and exhibition centres
- Museums
- Theme parks
- Outdoor music festivals
These fall in the range of 800+ capacity and are primarily within the entertainment industry.
Documentation vs Training vs Equipment: Understanding the Balance
A core principle of Martyn’s Law is that being prepared is not just about physical security. It’s a combination of:
- Documentation ensures risks are identified and understood, with responsibilities being made clear
- Training ensures staff know how to act under pressure and are ready to act in emergency situations
- Equipment is only introduced where genuinely necessary
For most venues and event spaces, awareness and training will have the greatest impact, especially in the early stages of compliance.
However, compliance also does not mean turning every venue into a fortress, but:
- Understanding the risks
- Training your staff
- Creating clear and workable plans
- Taking reasonable steps based on the size and use of your venue
- Over-engineering compliance may lead to huge costs, which is why Martyn’s Law is designed to be achievable, scalable and practical
Recommended reading
Further reading
- Why First Aid Training matters under Martyn's Law
- Understanding Martyn's Law for retailers and shopping centres
- Understanding Martyn's Law for the hospitality sector
- Understanding Martyn's Law for education, healthcare and places of worship
- Understanding Martyn's Law for events, festivals and temporary venues
