Martyn’s Law: New Statutory Guidance and What It Means for UK Venues

The landscape of public safety in the UK has reached a major milestone. In April 2026, the Home Office published the final Section 27 Statutory Guidance for the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, more commonly known as Martyn’s Law.

Named in memory of Martyn Hett, a victim of the 2017 Manchester Arena attack, this landmark legislation is designed to ensure that public venues and events are better prepared to protect the public from the threat of terrorism.

Here is a breakdown of the latest updates and how they impact venue operators across the UK.

Section 27 Guidance

The newly released Home Office guidance is the primary manual for anyone responsible for a qualifying premises or event. It provides:

• Tier Determination: Clearer methods for calculating capacity to determine if the venue falls into the Standard Tier (200–799 people) or Enhanced Tier (800+ people).
• Procedural Requirements: Detailed expectations for evacuation, invacuation, lockdown, and communication plans.
• Practical Examples: Illustrative scenarios to help non-security professionals understand legal requirements without needing to hire expensive consultants.

SIA Section 12 Consultation

Simultaneously, the Security Industry Authority (SIA) the official regulator for the Act, has launched a consultation on its Section 12 draft guidance.

While the Home Office guidance tells you what to do, the SIA guidance explains how they will regulate. Key themes include:

• A "supportive and proportionate" approach to enforcement.
• How the SIA will conduct inspections and assessments of compliance documents.
• The criteria for issuing financial penalties and addressing non-compliance.

The SIA consultation is open until June 12, 2026. Venue operators are encouraged to provide feedback to ensure the regulatory process is clear and manageable.

The Implementation Timeline

It is important to note that while the guidance is out, the law is not yet in force.

• Grace Period: The government has committed to an implementation period of at least 24 months from Royal Assent.
• Anticipated Commencement: Enforcement is expected to begin in Spring 2027.

This window is designed to give venue and event operators time to digest the guidance, train staff, and refine emergency procedures without the immediate threat of penalties.

Next Steps

While there is no legal requirement to comply until 2027, the Home Office and the SIA recommend early preparation:

• Audit Your Capacity: Re-verify whether the venue or event sits in the Standard or Enhanced tier based on the new guidance.
• Build a Security Culture: Utilise free resources like the ACT (Action Counters Terrorism) Awareness e-learning. The government has explicitly stated that third-party consultants are not required for compliance.
• Review Emergency Plans: Ensure lockdown and evacuation procedures aren't just "fire safety" plans, they must specifically account for terrorist threats.
• Participate in the Consultation: Have your say on the SIA’s regulatory approach before the June 12 deadline.

Martyn’s Law represents a significant shift toward proactive public safety. By using this implementation period to familiarise yourself with the guidance, you are taking a vital step toward protecting your staff, your customers, and your community.

Read the full Statutory Guidance on GOV.UK and participate in the SIA consultation.