Martyn’s Law
Martyn’s Law – also known as The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 – is a piece of legislation passed last year to help organisations prepare for terror threats and protect lives. Named after Martyn Hett, one of the victims of the 2017 Manchester Arena attack, the legislation is currently undergoing a 24-month implementation period. This means that full enforcement is expected to begin in 2027. To help businesses, local authorities and organisations prepare and understand the requirements, the Home Office recently released statutory Martyn’s Law Guidance.
Boundary Gate & Barrier are closing in on 20 years in the perimeter security industry. In that time, we have gained vast experience and knowledge of protecting properties and organisations across several key sectors including – education establishments, local authorities, stadiums, and hospitals.
With the implementation of Martyn’s Law on the horizon, we now look to the future and how this expertise can help organisations complying with the new legislation.
What is Martyn’s Law?
The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 is designed to better protect the public from terrorism, by providing legislation for public spaces and events to follow.
Martyn’s Law takes a tiered approach to its guidance, with different requirements depending on the number of individuals expected at an event or premises.
The Standard Tier covers any building or event where between 200 and 799 individuals are expected to be present. This typically covers restaurants, entertainment facilities, museums and libraries. This tier requires the enforcement of basic, affordable measures to help mitigate the risk of an attack.
Anything with a capacity that exceeds 800 people, such as stadiums, arenas, and large festivals, should comply with the requirements of the Enhanced Tier. This means more complex security solutions including physical security measures such as CCTV cameras and access control options.
Martyn’s Law Guidance for Schools
The tiered approach to The Terrorism Act (2025) does adapt when it comes to education establishments.
Early years, primary, secondary and further education establishments remain in the standard tier, even if their expected attendance exceeds 800 people.
However, Universities and other higher education institutions do not fall under this special consideration and will therefore be placed in either the Standard or Enhanced Tier, dependent on the number of individuals.
Education establishments should already have pre-existing lockdown and evacuation procedures in place and therefore comply with Martyn’s Law in this way. However, if these procedures need strengthening, specialist school lockdown alarms are available which work differently from fire alarms to help with the response to an emergency.
Boundary Gate & Barrier have provided access control security solutions to education establishments across the country and have the relevant expertise to help ensure that they stay compliant with the new Martyn’s Law legislation.
Martyn’s Law Guidance for Councils and Local Authorities
For Town and Parish Councils, and other local authorities, Martyn’s Law represents new challenges when it comes to the management of public spaces, and the organisation of events.
If you organise events such as an annual firework display, a weekly market, or a music festival in a local park, the new legislation means that extra work will need to be done to safely plan the event.
As well as carrying out risk assessments and venue reviews, this could involve the roll out of practical security measures. From manned guarding and bag checks, through to vehicle access control solutions, it is vital that councils ensure that risks are mitigated through the appropriate measures.
Boundary Gate & Barrier can demonstrate clear evidence of working closely with local councils to deliver long-term perimeter security solutions that improve safety, protect public spaces and control access.
This includes the installation of security fencing to secure perimeters, and limit access to defined areas. We offer both secure and durable mesh fencing and also strong palisade fencing, which acts as an ideal deterrent to intruders.
Martyn’s Law Guidance for Stadiums and Arenas
After the attack at Manchester Arena in 2017, obvious emphasis has been placed on how stadiums and arenas can strengthen their security and policies to better protect visitors.
A key section of the new legislation focuses on movement measures which are “intended to control, prohibit, restrict or reduce the moment of people into, out of and within qualifying premises and qualifying events.”
Criterion Five of Martyn’s Law states:
“To be in scope of the Act, an event must have measures in place to check that members of the public wishing to access the event satisfy a condition of entry. This criterion will only be met if there are measures in place to check that members of the public have paid, have a ticket or pass, or are members (or guests) of a club…to gain access. For entry controls to be in place, the event will need a well-defined and secure perimeter so that the entry check will be meaningful.”
Boundary Gate & Barrier can help strengthen the movement measures across your site. This includes ANPR vehicle access control at the entry to the site, and turnstiles to only allow access to those satisfying a condition of entry.
How BGB Can Help You
As detailed across this page, Boundary Gate & Barrier can provide you with Martyn’s Law Guidance to help keep you safe and compliant.
We are experts in perimeter security and access control. We have strong experience of providing these services nationwide to organisations and authorities who all fall under the remit set out in Martyn’s Law.
As well as a team of expert engineers who can complete install works on site, Boundary Gate & Barrier also provide a 24/7 maintenance contract. This ensures that, if a fault arises at your premises, we can get to you and get you fully operational whilst limiting disruption.
Click the link below to get in touch with our team today.
