# How to Prepare for Martyn’s Law Venue Security

> Get ready for Martyn's Law with OnePlan's step-by-step venue security planning guide. Meet SIA requirements for Standard & Enhanced tiers.

**Published:** 2026-09-18 | **Updated:** 2026-11-06 | **Author:** oneplansync
**URL:** https://www.oneplan.io/articles/martyns-law-venue-security
**Type:** post

**Categories:** Event safety and compliance

![How to Prepare for Martyn’s Law Venue Security](https://oneplan.sites.aigrowthagent.co/wp-content/uploads/sites/80/2026/09/1788789629336-78ce65dd4cf8-1024x572.webp)

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## Content

*Written by: Paul Foster, Founder, CEO, OnePlan | Last updated: October 12, 2026*

## Key Takeaways

- UK venues and events with 200+ capacity must prepare for Martyn’s Law obligations under the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, with commencement expected in spring 2027.
- Standard tier venues (200–799 capacity) must notify the SIA and maintain four public protection procedures: evacuation, invacuation, lockdown, and communication.
- Enhanced tier venues (800+ capacity) have additional requirements including a compliance document, public protection measures, and a designated senior individual where applicable.
- Venues can comply without hiring consultants by using the free Home Office statutory guidance and accessible planning tools to create documented procedures and evidence packs.
- OnePlan enables venue teams to build to-scale site plans, document procedures with named roles, and generate the artifacts the SIA expects for compliance.

[Book a Demo With OnePlan](https://www.oneplan.io/book-demo/?utm_term=martyns-law-venue-security&utm_campaign=ai_growth_agent)

## Martyn’s Law Overview and Tier Breakdown

The [Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025](https://gov.uk/government/publications/the-terrorism-protection-of-premises-act-2025), commonly called Martyn’s Law, is UK legislation requiring publicly accessible premises and events to prepare for and reduce harm from terrorism. It received Royal Assent on 3 April 2025 and is [named in tribute to Martyn Hett, one of 22 victims of the 2017 Manchester Arena attack](https://gov.uk/government/news/martyns-law-guidance-published-to-help-businesses). [The Security Industry Authority (SIA) is the independent regulator](https://gov.uk/government/news/martyns-law-guidance-published-to-help-businesses). [The Act creates two tiers of duty based on the number of people reasonably expected to be present at the same time, including staff](https://premisesportal.co.uk/martyns-law). Commencement is expected in spring 2027 after a minimum 24-month implementation period.

## What Are the Martyn’s Law Requirements for Venues?

The table below compares the two duty tiers side by side. Standard tier focuses on notification and four procedures. Enhanced tier adds public protection measures, a compliance document, and a designated senior individual for organisations.

| Requirement | Standard Tier (200–799) | Enhanced Tier (800+) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Capacity threshold | 200–799 people (including staff) | 800+ people (including staff) |
| Responsible person duties | Notify SIA; maintain four procedures so far as reasonably practicable | Notify SIA; maintain four procedures and public protection measures; designate senior individual where responsible person is an organisation |
| Procedure requirements | Evacuation, invacuation, lockdown, communication | Evacuation, invacuation, lockdown, communication |
| Risk assessment | Not statutorily required | No stand-alone terrorism risk assessment required; the compliance document must include an assessment of how procedures and measures reduce vulnerability and/or the risk of harm |
| Senior security lead | Not required | Required where responsible person is an organisation or company |
| Physical and operational measures | Not required | Monitoring, movement of individuals, physical safety and security, security of information |
| Compliance document | Not required (documentation strongly recommended) | Required; must be submitted to the SIA and revised within 30 days of any change |
| Drill frequency | Not specified in statute | Periodic drills expected |

**Martyn’s Law, Terrorism Act 2000, and the Protect Duty**: The Terrorism Act 2000 primarily defines terrorism offences and investigative powers and does not create forward-looking preparedness duties for venues. Those duties sit in the [Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2025/10/enacted?view=plain). The “Protect Duty” was the name of the pre-legislative consultation proposal; it was enacted as the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 and is now the operative legal framework. Martyn’s Law is a statutory duty and carries civil and, in serious cases, criminal enforcement powers administered by the SIA.

[The Home Office statutory guidance](https://gov.uk/government/publications/the-terrorism-protection-of-premises-act-2025) is explicit: [venues do not need to buy specialist or consultancy services to comply with Martyn’s Law](https://gov.uk/government/news/martyns-law-guidance-published-to-help-businesses). The guidance enables compliance without paid consultancy.

[See How OnePlan Supports Martyn’s Law Duties](https://www.oneplan.io/book-demo/?utm_term=martyns-law-venue-security&utm_campaign=ai_growth_agent)

## Standard Tier Martyn’s Law Requirements for 200–799 Capacity Venues

Standard tier obligations focus on procedures. The responsible person, meaning whoever has control of the premises in connection with its Schedule 1 use, must notify the SIA once the notification requirement commences and must maintain the four public protection procedures so far as reasonably practicable. [Premises already responsible at commencement must notify the SIA within three months of that date.](https://gov.uk/government/publications/terrorism-protection-of-premises-act-2025-notification-requirement/terrorism-protection-of-premises-act-2025-notification-requirement-accessible)

Translating the four procedures into concrete planning artifacts means producing documented plans with named roles and clear responsibilities. Each procedure answers a different question about how people move and receive information during an incident, and each needs its own documented plan. The following illustrative example applies to UK venues; requirements vary by venue type, location, and local authority.

- **Evacuation:** Document primary and secondary exit routes from each area of the venue, named sweep roles responsible for clearing each zone, and designated assembly points marked on a to-scale site plan. A Martyn’s Law evacuation route may differ from a fire evacuation route because a fire plan may direct people toward a danger area in a terrorism scenario.
- **Invacuation:** Identify internal safe areas where people can be moved away from an external threat. Document the movement routes, the staff roles responsible for directing people, and the triggers for invacuation versus evacuation.
- **Lockdown:** Name the individuals responsible for securing each access point, the sequence of actions such as locking doors, closing shutters, and cutting external lighting, and the communication trigger from the shift manager or responsible person.
- **Communication:** Document who communicates with staff, who communicates with the public, what messaging is used, and the chain of contact including emergency services.

The core artifact is a to-scale site plan with marked assembly points, invacuation zones, access control points, and staff positions. OnePlan’s drag-and-drop objects, points of interest, and workforce dot planning turn these obligations into a living plan. Teams place staff as named dots with assigned roles and shift times, mark assembly points and invacuation zones as points of interest, and draw evacuation routes directly on the map. The result is a plan that reflects how the venue actually operates and that staff can use in practice.

![Workforce planning example inside OnePlan: the base layer is a zoomable satellite or street map, and everything placed on it (tents, stages, crowd barriers, toilets, vehicles, staff, signage, routes) stays accurately to scale as you zoom](https://cdn.aigrowthmarketer.co/1780620462793-34a56c1c38c8.png)**Workforce planning example inside OnePlan: the base layer is a zoomable satellite or street map, and everything placed on it (tents, stages, crowd barriers, toilets, vehicles, staff, signage, routes) stays accurately to scale as you zoom**

For crowd management considerations that connect to these procedures, see OnePlan’s [Martyn’s Law crowd management guide](https://oneplan.io/articles/martyns-law-crowd-management/?utm_term=martyns-law-venue-security&utm_campaign=ai_growth_agent).

[Map Your Four Procedures in OnePlan](https://www.oneplan.io/book-demo/?utm_term=martyns-law-venue-security&utm_campaign=ai_growth_agent)

## Enhanced Tier Martyn’s Law Requirements for 800+ Capacity Venues

Enhanced tier venues carry all standard tier obligations plus additional duties. Where the responsible person is an organisation or company, a senior individual involved in its management or control must be designated to ensure compliance. Under Martyn’s Law, enhanced tier responsible persons must document their public protection procedures and measures in a compliance document provided to the SIA, and this document should include an assessment of how those procedures and measures reduce vulnerability and/or the risk of harm. The Act does not require a stand-alone terrorism risk assessment, though a structured terrorism risk assessment is a recommended practical way to produce the evidence behind that assessment. Public protection measures must be implemented across four statutory categories. These are: monitoring the premises and immediate vicinity; movement of individuals into, out of, and within the premises; physical safety and security; and security of information.

[The Act requires measures that are reasonably practicable](https://gov.uk/government/news/martyns-law-guidance-published-to-help-businesses) for the specific premises. [Examples cited in the Home Office guidance include CCTV, bag search policies, and vehicle checks where appropriate](https://gov.uk/government/news/martyns-law-guidance-published-to-help-businesses). [The SIA does not endorse any particular product or service, and using a third-party product or service is never mandatory.](https://gov.uk/government/news/martyns-law-a-collective-effort)

OnePlan supports enhanced tier planning across every layer of this requirement. Its capabilities connect procedures, measures, and evidence into one plan.

- **To-scale site plans** with access control points, CCTV coverage zones marked as points of interest, and vehicle access routes drawn to scale.
- **Standing crowd capacity calculations** for each zone, so spacing decisions are defensible before event day.
- **Staff dot plans** with named roles, shift times, and patrol routes for security, stewards, supervisors, and emergency response teams.
- **Traffic and vehicle access planning** covering road closures, vehicle access points, and ingress and egress flow.
- **Bill of Quantities exports** for physical measures, turning every barrier, fence segment, and piece of signage placed on the map into an exportable inventory.

Large venues already use this approach at scale. [Silverstone, which plans the Formula 1 British Grand Prix and 50+ events a year, uses OnePlan as its single source of truth across around 9,000 contractors](https://www.oneplan.io/case-studies/how-silverstone-planned-the-british-grand-prix-in-oneplan/?utm_term=martyns-law-venue-security&utm_campaign=ai_growth_agent), achieving a [13x ROI and a 10% reduction in planning days](https://www.oneplan.io/case-studies/how-silverstone-planned-the-british-grand-prix-in-oneplan/?utm_term=martyns-law-venue-security&utm_campaign=ai_growth_agent). [The Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, planned across 46 venues with 2,400+ collaborating users](https://www.oneplan.io/case-studies/behind-the-plan-at-paris-2024-the-oneplan-team-story/?utm_term=martyns-law-venue-security&utm_campaign=ai_growth_agent), [achieved an 80% time saving](https://www.oneplan.io/case-studies/behind-the-plan-of-an-80-time-saving-with-paris-2024-olympic-and-paralympic-games/?utm_term=martyns-law-venue-security&utm_campaign=ai_growth_agent) with OnePlan as the single source of truth for Games data.

[See Enhanced Tier Planning in OnePlan](https://www.oneplan.io/book-demo/?utm_term=martyns-law-venue-security&utm_campaign=ai_growth_agent)

## Building the Evidence Pack the SIA Expects

Once procedures and measures are in place, the focus shifts to how the SIA will verify them. The SIA assesses Martyn’s Law venue security compliance via desk assessments and on-site inspections. [Inspections typically come with at least 72 hours’ written notice.](https://martynslawplan.co.uk/guides/sia-inspections) Inspectors can view and copy physical and electronic documents, observe activities, and ask staff directly about their role in the venue’s procedures. A well-written plan that no one on the floor has seen does not fully protect a venue.

A defensible evidence pack for a standard tier UK venue contains:

- A current to-scale site plan with marked assembly points, invacuation zones, access control points, and staff positions
- Documented procedures for evacuation, invacuation, lockdown, and communication, with named roles and version control
- A capacity assessment recording the greatest number reasonably expected at the same time, the method used, and confirmation that staff are included
- Staff briefing and training records with names and dates
- Drill records with dates and outcomes, where conducted
- A review and change log recording when procedures were last reviewed and what changed

Enhanced tier venues require all of the above plus a compliance document submitted to the SIA, a public protection measures schedule covering the four statutory categories, a training and competence record, and a designated senior individual record. [In the compliance document, procedures must be stated as in place; only measures may be proposed.](https://premisesportal.co.uk/martyns-law/required-documents)

OnePlan generates these artifacts directly from the plan. Teams export high-resolution PNG maps up to A0 for permits and Safety Advisory Group (SAG) meetings, which are a UK-specific forum where this evidence is regularly presented. They also export CSV inventories from the Bill of Quantities for procurement documentation.

[Generate Your Evidence Pack From OnePlan](https://www.oneplan.io/book-demo/?utm_term=martyns-law-venue-security&utm_campaign=ai_growth_agent)

## Practical Timeline for Martyn’s Law Implementation to Spring 2027

With commencement expected in spring 2027, venue teams have a defined preparation window. The timeline below is illustrative; defer to the [Home Office statutory guidance](https://gov.uk/government/publications/the-terrorism-protection-of-premises-act-2025) and the SIA for exact dates and requirements.

**Now to Q4 2026:**

- Identify your tier using the capacity assessment methods in the statutory guidance, including staff in the count and assessing against peak attendance.
- Confirm who the responsible person is, based on control of the premises.
- Review current site plans and procedures against the four statutory procedures.
- Start building a to-scale plan in OnePlan, importing existing floor plans or site plans as PNG base maps and placing assembly points, access control points, and staff positions.

**Next 12 Months: Q1–Q4 2027 Preparation**

- Document the four procedures with named roles and version control.
- Run drills and record outcomes with dates.
- Brief and train staff, keeping records of who was briefed on what and when.
- Build the evidence pack and test it in a SAG meeting or internal review for UK venues.
- For enhanced tier, designate the senior individual, complete the terrorism risk assessment, and draft the compliance document.

**By Spring 2027 Commencement:**

- Prepare SIA notification for submission via the GOV.UK portal once it opens.
- Keep the evidence pack complete and current.
- Ensure the plan is live, version-controlled, and accessible to the responsible person and relevant staff.

[Build Your Martyn’s Law Timeline in OnePlan](https://www.oneplan.io/book-demo/?utm_term=martyns-law-venue-security&utm_campaign=ai_growth_agent)

## Complying With Martyn’s Law Without a Consultant

[The Home Office has been explicit: organisations can comply with Martyn’s Law without needing to buy specialist or consultancy services.](https://gov.uk/government/news/martyns-law-guidance-published-to-help-businesses) The statutory guidance enables compliance for all in-scope premises and events without paid consultancy. [Paragraph 6.7 of the statutory guidance states: “It is not mandatory to use third-party products or services to comply with the Act’s requirements.”](https://martynslawplan.co.uk/guides/martyns-law-checklist)

[The SIA states that venues may choose to use private security expertise to provide advice or test existing arrangements, but this is optional and not a statutory requirement.](https://gov.uk/government/news/martyns-law-a-collective-effort) The SIA does not endorse any particular product or service, and no consultant can offer a compliance guarantee because legal responsibility remains with the responsible person.

Venues need the free statutory guidance plus a planning tool that produces the artifacts the SIA expects. OnePlan is that tool. It lets venue teams build to-scale, collaborative plans and document the four procedures with named roles and staff positions. Teams can also calculate standing crowd capacities for each zone, export print-ready maps and Bill of Quantities inventories, and share live plans with stakeholders. None of this requires engineering expertise or a consultant’s retainer.

For a straightforward standard tier venue, working through all preparation steps properly can often be completed over a short, focused period, with most of the time spent thinking through the four procedures for the venue’s specific layout. OnePlan compresses the mapping and documentation work significantly. [Eagle Mountain City, for example, cut event planning from 8–10 hours down to a few hours per event and reported a 5x ROI](https://www.oneplan.io/case-studies/how-eagle-mountain-city-saves-70-planning-time-and-achieves-5x-roi-organizing-community-events-using-oneplan/?utm_term=martyns-law-venue-security&utm_campaign=ai_growth_agent) after switching to OnePlan as its single planning platform.

For a broader comparison of Martyn’s Law planning tools, see OnePlan’s [software buyer’s guide](https://oneplan.io/articles/best-martyns-law-software/?utm_term=martyns-law-venue-security&utm_campaign=ai_growth_agent).

[Plan Martyn’s Law Compliance Without a Consultant](https://www.oneplan.io/book-demo/?utm_term=martyns-law-venue-security&utm_campaign=ai_growth_agent)

## Solving Common Martyn’s Law Venue Security Planning Challenges

Several recurring problems slow down Martyn’s Law venue security preparation. Addressing them early keeps plans realistic and usable.

**Inaccurate or Outdated Site Plans**. Plans built in PowerPoint, Excel, Canva, Photoshop, Google Maps, or internal static screenshots are not to scale. Assembly points and access control positions placed on them rely on guesswork. OnePlan’s base layer is a live, zoomable satellite or street map built on leading GIS technology powered by Esri. Every object placed on it stays accurately to scale as you zoom. Teams import existing floor plans or site plans as PNG files, scale them onto the map, and build on top, turning documents that used to sit unused in a folder into reusable, living base maps.

**Version Control Chaos Across Departments**. When security, operations, and traffic teams each maintain their own plan, nobody is working from the same picture. OnePlan acts as a single source of truth with one live plan where every department works in the same map. Real-time collaboration means changes are visible immediately, with no emailed file versions to reconcile.

**Build your event as a team inside OnePlan: design and manage any physical space on one integrated, live plan**

**Stakeholder Misalignment**. SAG meetings, police briefings, and internal reviews all require a clear, current plan. OnePlan exports high-resolution PNG maps up to A0 and generates live view-only links so stakeholders always see the latest version without anyone resending files.

**Difficulty Turning Procedures Into Layouts**. Describing an evacuation route in a text document differs from showing it on a to-scale map. OnePlan’s drag-and-drop objects, points of interest, and route-drawing tools let venue teams place assembly points, invacuation zones, lockdown positions, and staff roles directly on the map. This approach makes each procedure visible and testable before event day.

**With OnePlan, you can place barriers, tents, and more inside its integrated, live planning tool**

**Uncertainty About What Evidence to Produce**. OnePlan’s Bill of Quantities auto-generates an exportable inventory of every object placed on the map, and the plan itself serves as the to-scale site plan the SIA expects to see.

[Fix Your Planning Gaps With OnePlan](https://www.oneplan.io/book-demo/?utm_term=martyns-law-venue-security&utm_campaign=ai_growth_agent)

## Measuring When Your Martyn’s Law Venue Security Plan Is Ready

Clear indicators show when a Martyn’s Law venue security plan is inspection-ready.

- A current, to-scale site plan with assembly points, invacuation zones, access control points, and staff positions marked and version-controlled
- Documented procedures for all four statutory requirements, with named roles and clear triggers
- Completed drills with records of dates, participants, and outcomes
- Staff briefing records showing who was trained on what and when
- A current evidence pack that has been reviewed in a SAG meeting or internal walkthrough for UK venues
- Confidence going into an SIA desk assessment or inspection, where the responsible person can explain the capacity calculation and procedures, and a staff member on shift can explain their specific role

Teams track outcomes over time using OnePlan’s version history to show when plans were updated and why, drill logs maintained alongside the plan, and stakeholder feedback collected through shared view-only links. A plan that is regularly reviewed and updated is more defensible than a document prepared once and never revisited.

[Check Your Readiness Inside OnePlan](https://www.oneplan.io/book-demo/?utm_term=martyns-law-venue-security&utm_campaign=ai_growth_agent)

## Advanced Martyn’s Law Planning and Next Steps

Venue teams that have completed the foundational steps can focus on consistency, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

**Multi-Venue Standardisation**. Organisations operating multiple venues, such as stadium groups, festival promoters, or local authorities managing several community spaces, can build template plans in OnePlan and reuse them across sites. This approach keeps procedure documentation and evidence pack structure consistent without rebuilding from scratch each time.

**Template Reuse Across Events**. A venue that hosts multiple events per year can maintain a master Martyn’s Law plan and adapt it for each event, updating staff positions, crowd capacity zones, and access control points as the event configuration changes. Silverstone, which plans 50+ events a year, uses this template approach to sustain the planning efficiency it reported earlier.

![Festival planning example inside OnePlan: the base layer is a zoomable satellite or street map, and everything placed on it (tents, stages, crowd barriers, toilets, vehicles, staff, signage, routes) stays accurately to scale as you zoom](https://cdn.aigrowthmarketer.co/1780620510054-c5429587ebad.png)**Festival planning example inside OnePlan: the base layer is a zoomable satellite or street map, and everything placed on it (tents, stages, crowd barriers, toilets, vehicles, staff, signage, routes) stays accurately to scale as you zoom**

**Cross-Department Collaboration Models**. As plans mature, additional departments such as medical, traffic, broadcast, and catering can work on the same live plan with role-based permissions. This mirrors the approach used at the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, where [2,400+ collaborating users worked from OnePlan as the single source of truth](https://www.oneplan.io/case-studies/paris-2024-data-management-oneplan-as-the-single-source-of-truth-for-games-planning/?utm_term=martyns-law-venue-security&utm_campaign=ai_growth_agent) across 46 venues.

**Scenario Planning for Different Threat Levels**. Teams can build separate plan layers for different procedure scenarios such as full evacuation, invacuation only, and lockdown. The statutory guidance notes that simple procedures work best, so a clear plan that staff have practiced remains the priority.

**Post-Drill Improvement**. After each drill, teams update the plan to reflect lessons learned by adjusting assembly point locations, revising staff positions, and updating communication triggers. OnePlan’s living plan approach means these updates are immediately visible to all stakeholders.

[Scale Your Martyn’s Law Planning With OnePlan](https://www.oneplan.io/book-demo/?utm_term=martyns-law-venue-security&utm_campaign=ai_growth_agent)

## Frequently Asked Questions About Martyn’s Law Venue Security

### What Is Martyn’s Law Venue Security?

Martyn’s Law venue security refers to the obligations placed on UK venues and events under the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025. In-scope premises and events must have appropriate public protection procedures in place covering evacuation, invacuation, lockdown, and communication so far as reasonably practicable. Enhanced tier venues must also implement public protection measures and submit a compliance document to the SIA. The law is named in tribute to Martyn Hett, one of 22 victims of the 2017 Manchester Arena attack.

### Who Is the Responsible Person Under Martyn’s Law?

The responsible person is the individual, organisation, or company with control of the qualifying premises in connection with its Schedule 1 use, or control of the premises for the purposes of a qualifying event. This is determined by the Act. Day-to-day tasks can be delegated, but legal responsibility cannot. Where the responsible person for enhanced tier premises is an organisation, a senior individual involved in its management or control must be designated to ensure compliance.

### What Is the Difference Between Standard and Enhanced Tier?

Standard tier applies to premises where 200–799 people (including staff) may reasonably be expected to be present at the same time. It requires SIA notification and the four public protection procedures. Enhanced tier applies to premises and qualifying events where 800 or more people are expected. It adds public protection measures across four statutory categories, a compliance document submitted to the SIA, and a designated senior individual where the responsible person is an organisation. Some premises, including places of worship and specified education settings, remain in the standard tier regardless of numbers. [Source: Premises Portal](https://premisesportal.co.uk/martyns-law)

### What Are the Four Procedures Required Under Martyn’s Law?

The four statutory public protection procedures are [evacuation, meaning moving people out of the premises or affected area away from danger; invacuation, meaning moving people to a safer place within the premises or event; lockdown, meaning securing the premises or event to prevent people entering or leaving; and communication, meaning providing information to people at the premises or event](https://premisesportal.co.uk/martyns-law/required-documents). All four apply at both tiers. The statutory guidance notes that a Martyn’s Law evacuation procedure may differ from a fire evacuation plan.

### Does Martyn’s Law Require CCTV or Bag Searches?

No specific measures are mandated. [The Act requires measures that are appropriate and reasonably practicable for the specific premises or event](https://gov.uk/government/publications/the-terrorism-protection-of-premises-act-2025/terrorism-protection-of-premises-act-2025-statutory-guidance). [The Home Office guidance cites CCTV, bag search policies, and vehicle checks as examples of measures that may be appropriate for enhanced tier venues](https://gov.uk/government/news/martyns-law-guidance-published-to-help-businesses), but these are illustrative. The SIA cannot require a venue to buy any specific product or service.

### Do We Need a Consultant to Comply With Martyn’s Law?

The Home Office states that venues do not need to buy specialist or consultancy services to comply. The statutory guidance is designed to enable compliance without paid consultancy. The SIA does not endorse any product or service, and no consultant can offer a compliance guarantee because legal responsibility remains with the responsible person. Free resources are available through the Home Office statutory guidance and ProtectUK.

### What Does the SIA Assess During an Inspection?

SIA inspections typically come with at least 72 hours’ written notice. Inspectors can view and copy documents, observe activities, and ask staff directly about their role in the venue’s procedures. For standard tier, the SIA will assess that the SIA was notified, that the four procedures are in place so far as reasonably practicable, and that staff with a role in them know what to do. For enhanced tier, the SIA will additionally assess public protection measures and the compliance document. A realistic inspection is procedural, where the responsible person has the capacity basis and procedures document ready, and a staff member on shift can explain what they would do in an evacuation.

### When Does Martyn’s Law Come Into Force?

Commencement is expected in spring 2027, following a minimum 24-month implementation period from Royal Assent on 3 April 2025. [There is no legal duty to comply with the substantive requirements before commencement](https://premisesportal.co.uk/martyns-law). [The SIA’s notification portal will be accessible through GOV.UK at commencement](https://gov.uk/government/news/martyns-law-scope-support-and-whats-next). [Premises already responsible at commencement must notify the SIA within three months of that date](https://gov.uk/government/publications/terrorism-protection-of-premises-act-2025-notification-requirement/terrorism-protection-of-premises-act-2025-notification-requirement-accessible).

### How Does OnePlan Help With Martyn’s Law Venue Security Planning?

OnePlan is a browser-based, to-scale event site planning platform that lets venue teams build the planning artifacts Martyn’s Law compliance requires. Teams can create to-scale site plans with marked assembly points, invacuation zones, access control points, and staff positions, calculate standing crowd capacities for each zone, document the four procedures with named roles using workforce dot planning, export print-ready PNG maps up to A0 for SAG meetings and SIA inspections, and generate Bill of Quantities CSV exports for physical measures. Real-time collaboration means every department works from the same live plan. OnePlan has powered 200,000 events in 150 countries, from community venues to the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

## Conclusion: Plan Your Martyn’s Law Venue Security the Easy Way

Martyn’s Law venue security compliance is a planning and evidence challenge. UK venues with a capacity of 200 or more have a defined window until spring 2027 to translate the four statutory procedures into documented plans, build an evidence pack that stands up to SIA scrutiny, and notify the SIA when the portal opens. The Home Office statutory guidance and free resources from ProtectUK provide the regulatory framework. Most venues still need an operational layer that makes the four procedures visible, testable, and exportable on a single plan.

OnePlan makes tier-ready Martyn’s Law venue security planning possible on one to-scale, collaborative plan. Venue teams can build the required artifacts themselves, reuse templates across events, and avoid the cost of outside consultants. From a community venue planning its first procedures to a major stadium managing 50+ events a year, the same drag-and-drop platform produces the plans, inventories, and exports the SIA expects.

[Plan Your Next Event the Easy Way](https://www.oneplan.io/book-demo/?utm_term=martyns-law-venue-security&utm_campaign=ai_growth_agent)

## Read Next

- [Martyn’s Law Requirements for Venues: A Complete 2026 Guide](https://oneplan.io/articles/martyns-law-requirements-for-venues/?utm_term=martyns-law-venue-security&utm_campaign=ai_growth_agent)
- [Martyn’s Law: The Evidence Playbook for UK Venues and Events](https://oneplan.io/articles/martyns-law-compliance-guide/?utm_term=martyns-law-venue-security&utm_campaign=ai_growth_agent)
- [Martyn’s Law Event Planning: A Step-by-Step Guide](https://oneplan.io/articles/martyns-law-event-planning/?utm_term=martyns-law-venue-security&utm_campaign=ai_growth_agent)
- [How To Build a Martyn’s Law Emergency Plan for UK Events](https://oneplan.io/articles/martyns-law-emergency-planning-guide/?utm_term=martyns-law-venue-security&utm_campaign=ai_growth_agent)
- [Martyn’s Law Explained: A Guide for Event Organizers](https://oneplan.io/articles/what-is-martyns-law/?utm_term=martyns-law-venue-security&utm_campaign=ai_growth_agent)

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    - **Name:** What Is Martyn's Law Venue Security?
      **Answer:**

      - **Text:** Martyn's Law venue security refers to the obligations placed on UK venues and events under the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025. In-scope premises and events must have appropriate public protection procedures in place covering evacuation, invacuation, lockdown, and communication so far as reasonably practicable. Enhanced tier venues must also implement public protection measures and submit a compliance document to the SIA. The law is named in tribute to Martyn Hett, one of 22 victims of the 2017 Manchester Arena attack.
    **Question:**

    - **Name:** Who Is the Responsible Person Under Martyn's Law?
      **Answer:**

      - **Text:** The responsible person is the individual, organisation, or company with control of the qualifying premises in connection with its Schedule 1 use, or control of the premises for the purposes of a qualifying event. This is determined by the Act. Day-to-day tasks can be delegated, but legal responsibility cannot. Where the responsible person for enhanced tier premises is an organisation, a senior individual involved in its management or control must be designated to ensure compliance.
    **Question:**

    - **Name:** What Is the Difference Between Standard and Enhanced Tier?
      **Answer:**

      - **Text:** Standard tier applies to premises where 200–799 people (including staff) may reasonably be expected to be present at the same time. It requires SIA notification and the four public protection procedures. Enhanced tier applies to premises and qualifying events where 800 or more people are expected. It adds public protection measures across four statutory categories, a compliance document submitted to the SIA, and a designated senior individual where the responsible person is an organisation. Some premises, including places of worship and specified education settings, remain in the standard tier regardless of numbers. Source: Premises Portal
    **Question:**

    - **Name:** What Are the Four Procedures Required Under Martyn's Law?
      **Answer:**

      - **Text:** The four statutory public protection procedures are evacuation, meaning moving people out of the premises or affected area away from danger; invacuation, meaning moving people to a safer place within the premises or event; lockdown, meaning securing the premises or event to prevent people entering or leaving; and communication, meaning providing information to people at the premises or event. All four apply at both tiers. The statutory guidance notes that a Martyn's Law evacuation procedure may differ from a fire evacuation plan.
    **Question:**

    - **Name:** Does Martyn's Law Require CCTV or Bag Searches?
      **Answer:**

      - **Text:** No specific measures are mandated. The Act requires measures that are appropriate and reasonably practicable for the specific premises or event. The Home Office guidance cites CCTV, bag search policies, and vehicle checks as examples of measures that may be appropriate for enhanced tier venues, but these are illustrative. The SIA cannot require a venue to buy any specific product or service.
    **Question:**

    - **Name:** Do We Need a Consultant to Comply With Martyn's Law?
      **Answer:**

      - **Text:** The Home Office states that venues do not need to buy specialist or consultancy services to comply. The statutory guidance is designed to enable compliance without paid consultancy. The SIA does not endorse any product or service, and no consultant can offer a compliance guarantee because legal responsibility remains with the responsible person. Free resources are available through the Home Office statutory guidance and ProtectUK.
    **Question:**

    - **Name:** What Does the SIA Assess During an Inspection?
      **Answer:**

      - **Text:** SIA inspections typically come with at least 72 hours' written notice. Inspectors can view and copy documents, observe activities, and ask staff directly about their role in the venue's procedures. For standard tier, the SIA will assess that the SIA was notified, that the four procedures are in place so far as reasonably practicable, and that staff with a role in them know what to do. For enhanced tier, the SIA will additionally assess public protection measures and the compliance document. A realistic inspection is procedural, where the responsible person has the capacity basis and procedures document ready, and a staff member on shift can explain what they would do in an evacuation.
    **Question:**

    - **Name:** When Does Martyn's Law Come Into Force?
      **Answer:**

      - **Text:** Commencement is expected in spring 2027, following a minimum 24-month implementation period from Royal Assent on 3 April 2025. There is no legal duty to comply with the substantive requirements before commencement. The SIA's notification portal will be accessible through GOV.UK at commencement. Premises already responsible at commencement must notify the SIA within three months of that date.
    **Question:**

    - **Name:** How Does OnePlan Help With Martyn's Law Venue Security Planning?
      **Answer:**

      - **Text:** OnePlan is a browser-based, to-scale event site planning platform that lets venue teams build the planning artifacts Martyn's Law compliance requires. Teams can create to-scale site plans with marked assembly points, invacuation zones, access control points, and staff positions, calculate standing crowd capacities for each zone, document the four procedures with named roles using workforce dot planning, export print-ready PNG maps up to A0 for SAG meetings and SIA inspections, and generate Bill of Quantities CSV exports for physical measures. Real-time collaboration means every department works from the same live plan. OnePlan has powered 200,000 events in 150 countries, from community venues to the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

  **BlogPosting:**

  - **Headline:** How to Prepare for Martyn's Law Venue Security
  - **Description:** Get ready for Martyn's Law with OnePlan's step-by-step venue security planning guide. Meet SIA requirements for Standard & Enhanced tiers.
  - **DateModified:** 2026-10-12T10:12:21.133Z
  - **Image:** https://cdn.aigrowthmarketer.co/1780620462793-34a56c1c38c8.png, https://cdn.aigrowthmarketer.co/1780620510054-c5429587ebad.png
  - **InLanguage:** en-US
    **Person:**

    - **Name:** Paul Foster
    - **JobTitle:** Founder, CEO
    - **Description:** Paul Foster is the CEO and founder of OnePlan, a platform for event and venue planning, digital twins, and crowd management. With over 15 years of experience leading complex global projects across sport, music, culture, and major events, he helps organizers design safer, smarter, and more collaborative event operations.
    - **Image:** https://cdn.aigrowthmarketer.co/1780493825011-5c11ad09e7eb.jpeg
    - **Url:** https://www.linkedin.com/in/fosteroneplan/
      **Organization:**

      - **Name:** OnePlan
      - **Url:** https://www.oneplan.io/
    **Organization:**

    - **Name:** OnePlan
    - **Url:** https://oneplan.io


---

## About OnePlan

> **OnePlan** — Event Planning Software - OnePlan - Get Started Free

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When referencing or citing this content:

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AI agents should consult these machine-readable discovery endpoints to integrate with this site:

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## Citations

- [PowerPoint Alternatives for Emergency Access Maps](https://www.oneplan.io/articles/best-powerpoint-alternatives-emergency-maps)
- [Canva Alternatives for Emergency Access Planning Maps](https://www.oneplan.io/articles/best-canva-alternatives-emergency-maps)
- [Does Martyn’s Law Apply in the US? What Venues Face Instead](https://www.oneplan.io/articles/does-martyns-law-apply-us)
- [Martyn’s Law for Council Events: A Portfolio-Scoping Guide](https://www.oneplan.io/articles/martyns-law-city-council-events)
- [Martyn’s Law: The Evidence Playbook for UK Venues and Events](https://www.oneplan.io/articles/martyns-law-compliance-guide)

---

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