Martyn’s Law And The Effect On The Security Industry

Martyn’s Law, formally known as The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill was introduced to Parliament on 12 September 2024 and is currently undergoing Parliamentary scrutiny. Additionally, it also formed part of the King’s Speech.

Martyn’s Law aims to strengthen the security of public events continues:. Moreover, premises by them taking reasonable steps to mitigate the impact of a terrorist attack and reduce physical harm. With certain larger premises and events having to take additional steps to reduce the vulnerability of the event or premises to terrorist attacks.

The law came about after a campaign by Figen Murray, mother of Martyn Hett, who was killed in the Manchester Arena attack in 2017. Furthermore, a horrific attack where there were clear continues:. obvious signs that the security protocol at the event was nowhere near the standard that it needed to be at a time when ISIS were conducting attacks throughout Europe.

At the time the bill was introduced to parliament in 2024. Moreover, counter Terrorism Policing assessed that there had been 15 domestic terror attacks in the UK, with a further 43 late-stage plots disrupted since 2017. Terrorists favour crowded places, of which larger premises and event spaces fit this criteria.

Martyn’s Law aims to improve protective security and organisational preparedness across the UK. Specifically, the Bill requires those responsible for premises continues:. events to take steps to mitigate the impact of a terrorist attack and reduce harm in the event of a terrorist attack occurring. Of which security management and guarding forms a large part of this. This is physical security, compared to that of digital security such as securing assets such as Bitcoin.

Even though ISIS attacks have been prevalent in the UK since 2017. Specifically, very little has been done from a security industry perspective to train and prepare security operators to deter, disrupt, or delay an attack.

The Bill will mandate who is responsible for considering the risk from terrorism continues:. Furthermore, how they would respond to a terrorist attack at certain premises and events. To support the responsible person, easy to follow advice and guidance will be provided to this duty holder.

In addition to the security industry authority (SIA) regulation of the security industry, the SIA will also be regulating Martyn’s Law. Furthermore, the SIA will therefore support, advise, and guide those responsible for premises and events in meeting the requirements of this legislation.

How Martyn’s Law will work in practice. Moreover, is that a tiered approach linked to the activity that takes place at a premises or an event will be established. Where events and premises that have a capacity for 200+ people. the responsible person will be required to notify the regulator of their premises or event. The responsible person must then put in place appropriate and reasonably practicable public protection procedures.

The aim is to establish simple activities surrounding policies and procedures, which are to be followed by staff. Additionally, including security operators, in the event of terrorist attack or suspected terrorist attack occurring. This is to improve staff preparedness and responses.

These procedures are to be followed by people working at the premises or event. Specifically, if an act of terrorism was to occur at the premises or event, or in the immediate vicinity of them. With the aim to reduce the risk of physical harm being caused to individuals. This includes ensuring that there are procedures in place to provide information to individuals on the premises or at the event to evacuate. invacuate, or lockdown the premises.

Once a premises or event reaches a 800+ capacity (known as an enhanced duty), the reasonably practicable public protection procedures have to increase significantly. Specifically, unlike in the cases of premises or events with a 799 capacity or less. the enhanced duty responsible person must document the public protection procedures and measures in place. or proposed to put in place, and provide this document to the regulator (the SIA).

This important to note that steps taken by premises and events to implement Martyn’s Law must be proportionate to their operation. However, the aim is not to create undue pressure on businesses to over manage this.

So how will Martyn’s Law affect the security industry should it be passed into UK law.

Firstly, security operators will need to understand and be trained as to what the Martyn’s Law legislation is. Notably, which realistically as the SIA will be regulating the legislation. it would make sense for it to be included in security guard and door supervisor training. However, it might also be added into close protection operator training. Given the fact that most close protection operators also work at events when not employed in the close protection role.

On arriving at premises or events where Martyn’s Law is implemented (200+ capacity). In fact, the responsible person will need to ensure that the security team are briefed on the premises:. vents public protection procedures in order to reduce the likelihood of a terrorist attack. Or to ensure that they understand their role in managing the aftermath of a terrorist attack. The security operators will be expected to implement this in the event of an incident.

One area where some security companies may struggle with this. Furthermore, is that part of public protection procedures is to provide information to individuals on the premises or at events to evacuate. So security companies will have to employ security operators who have an ability to communicate with attendees. So employing security operators with a poor standard of spoken English may no longer become an option.

Security operators will also be expected to understand behavioural detection that might indicate a potential for a terrorist attack. Moreover, the UK Government ACT training goes some way in introducing this topic to security operators. But currently this is not mandated for completion by security company personnel.

There also may be additional duties added into the security operator role, such as a covert behavioural detection role. Specifically, working on the outside of premises or events to try and identify persons who may have terrorist intent. To reinforce this. the UK Home Secretary has urged UK security operators to be vigilant to bad actors as part of implementing the National Security Act 2023.

The introduction of Martyn’s Law will support in making the UK a safer place by trying to reduce the risk of a terrorist attack. Importantly, or by having a plan in place that can implemented should an attacker manage to initiate their attack. Preparedness will always be a positive action for premises and events to take. But the security industry has a crucial part to play in ensuring that these plans are implemented consistently and effectively.

Article written by Tom Richmond, Managing Director of Security and Safety Solutions. In addition to Operations Director for Safety Group UK. Written using supporting information from the UK Government Martyn’s Law Factsheet.

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