# Your Complete Guide to Martyn’s Law Compliance

> Prepare for Martyn's Law with OnePlan. Understand Protect Duty tiers, requirements & deadlines to keep your events and venues fully compliant.

**Published:** 2026-09-22 | **Updated:** 2026-11-06 | **Author:** oneplansync
**URL:** https://www.oneplan.io/articles/protect-duty-legislation-guide
**Type:** post

**Categories:** Event safety and compliance

![Your Complete Guide to Martyn’s Law Compliance](https://oneplan.sites.aigrowthagent.co/wp-content/uploads/sites/80/2026/09/1788789156730-c8654436bc98-1024x572.webp)

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## Content

*Written by: Paul Foster, Founder, CEO, OnePlan*

## Key Takeaways

- Protect Duty (Martyn’s Law) is UK legislation that requires public venues and events to put proportionate terrorist-attack preparedness in place.
- The law introduces tiered obligations based on capacity, with enforcement expected from Spring 2027 across the UK nations.
- Standard-tier premises (200–799 people) must document evacuation, invacuation, lockdown, and communication procedures, plus staff training where required.
- Enhanced-tier sites (800+ people or qualifying events) must add further security measures, a formal public protection document, and senior compliance oversight.
- Capacity thresholds include staff, volunteers, performers, and contractors, so qualifying events reaching 800+ people trigger enhanced-tier rules even at smaller venues.
- Non-compliance can lead to fines up to £18 million or 5% of global turnover, restriction notices, and daily penalties, so early preparation and documented decisions are essential.
- OnePlan supports compliance by providing accurate, to-scale site plans, crowd-capacity calculations, real-time collaboration, and professional export documentation, helping you evidence your Protect Duty approach.

## The Background: From Manchester Arena to Martyn’s Law

The [Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 received Royal Assent on April 3, 2025](https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/protect-duty) after years of campaigning by Martyn Hett’s mother, Figen Murray OBE, and recommendations from the Manchester Arena Inquiry. The Act also reflects the 2019 Prevention of Future Deaths Report following the 2017 London Bridge and Borough Market attack.

The Security Industry Authority (SIA) will serve as the regulator, with an implementation period of at least 24 months from Royal Assent. The SIA is planning for commencement in Spring 2027, which gives in-scope venues and events time to prepare. The Home Office has issued statutory guidance to help responsible persons understand what they must do.

| Detail | Information |
| --- | --- |
| Official name | [Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025](https://gov.uk/government/publications/the-terrorism-protection-of-premises-act-2025) |
| Common name | Martyn’s Law (named after Martyn Hett, Manchester Arena attack victim) |
| Royal Assent | [April 3, 2025](https://gov.uk/government/news/one-year-on-from-royal-assent-for-martyns-law) |
| Expected enforcement | [Spring 2027](https://gov.uk/government/publications/sia-strategic-plan-2026-to-2029/sia-strategic-plan-2026-to-2029) |
| Regulator | [Security Industry Authority (SIA)](https://protectuk.police.uk/martyns-law) |
| Applies to | England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland |

## Who the Protect Duty Applies To

The [Protect Duty applies to premises, including buildings and outdoor locations, that are accessible to the public and mainly used for activities listed in Schedule 1 of the Act](https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/protect-duty). These activities include shops, food and drink venues, entertainment and leisure facilities, sports grounds, visitor attractions, hotels, places of worship, healthcare facilities, and educational institutions.

The tiered system is based on capacity. It uses the maximum number of people, including staff, who can reasonably be expected to be present at any one time.

| Tier | Capacity Threshold | Example Venues |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Standard | [200–799 people](https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/protect-duty) | Community halls, mid-sized pubs, smaller festivals |
| Enhanced | [800+ people](https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/protect-duty) | Stadiums, arenas, large festivals, major events |

Capacity can be based on historic data, safe occupancy, tickets sold, or fixed seating capacity. For events, [qualifying events with 800 or more people reasonably expected are subject to enhanced tier requirements](https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/protect-duty), even when the premises would usually fall below that threshold. The 800-person threshold includes attendees, staff, volunteers, performers, and contractors.

The responsible person is the individual, organization, or company that controls the premises for its qualifying use. This person is not always the owner. For events, the responsible person is the one who controls the premises for the event itself. [This responsibility cannot be delegated, even if security or stewarding is outsourced to contractors.](https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/protect-duty) To see how OnePlan can help you document and evidence these responsibilities, [book a 15-minute demo](https://www.oneplan.io/book-demo/?utm_term=protect-duty-legislation-guide&utm_campaign=ai_growth_agent).

## Standard Tier Requirements: 200–799 People

Venues or events that can reasonably expect between 200 and 799 people at the same time fall within the standard tier. The focus is on low-cost, procedural preparedness so your team knows what to do if a terrorist attack occurs.

[Public protection procedures must cover four key areas](https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/protect-duty):

- **Evacuation:** Moving people away from danger by taking them out of the premises.
- **Invacuation:** Moving people to a safer location within the premises.
- **Lockdown:** Securing the premises to prevent people entering or leaving.
- **Communication:** Providing information, alerting people to danger, and giving instructions.

For some premises, staff must also complete public protection training so they can put these procedures into practice. The concept of “reasonably practicable” is central. [Measures must be proportionate to the risk and the size of the venue](https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/protect-duty). A community festival with 500 attendees needs documented procedures and trained staff, rather than airport-style security.

## Enhanced Tier Requirements: 800+ People

Premises expecting 800 or more people, and qualifying events at that scale, face more comprehensive obligations. [Enhanced tier requirements include everything in the standard tier, plus additional measures](https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/protect-duty).

- **Public protection measures** that cover monitoring, movement, physical safety and security, and information security. These may include CCTV, access control, searching and screening, and hostile vehicle mitigation where proportionate.
- **A public protection document** (security plan) that assesses the risk of terrorist attacks, sets out the procedures and measures in place, and records staff training.
- **Designation of a senior individual** responsible for compliance when the responsible person is an organization.

The public protection document must be kept under review and provided to the SIA when requested. [Compliance is evidence-based, so organizations must show what procedures and measures exist, how they reduce risk, why decisions were taken, and how staff are trained and tested.](https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/protect-duty)

[Certain premises, including childcare, primary and secondary education, further education, and places of worship, remain in the standard tier even if 800 or more individuals can reasonably be present](https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/protect-duty), as set out in the statutory guidance.

## Affected Sectors and Event-Specific Scenarios

The legislation reaches almost every type of public gathering, and each scenario highlights a specific compliance challenge.

![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**

- **Music festivals:** These temporary sites often exceed 800 people, so they sit in the enhanced tier or qualifying event category. Organizers must build security into the site plan from the start, including layout, crowd flow, and emergency access.
- **Road events (marathons, cycling):** These routes span public spaces and create complex perimeters. Planners must design secure start and finish areas, crowd control points, and reliable emergency vehicle access that align with tier requirements.
- **Venues:** Stadiums, arenas, and conference centers that host regular events above 800 people must maintain comprehensive, current security documentation that supports their enhanced-tier public protection document.
- **Outdoor events:** [Open-air events fall in scope where there is a well-defined and secure perimeter and entry checks control access to the event area.](https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/protect-duty) Organizers must treat the perimeter as part of their security design, not an afterthought.

Safety Advisory Groups (SAGs) in the UK will likely play a significant role in reviewing plans, which makes accurate, shareable site documentation essential for approval processes. Yet a common mistake across these sectors is [treating security as a line item rather than a planning function](http://oneplan.io/blog/how-oneplan-enables-better-safety-at-venues-ahead-of-martyns-law?utm_term=protect-duty-legislation-guide&utm_campaign=ai_growth_agent). Teams often bring security in after the site plan is set, and retrofitting measures into a design that never considered them can be expensive and less effective.

## Compliance Timeline and Enforcement

The Act is not yet in force. The Home Office is developing regulations and guidance, and the SIA is building its regulatory function. [The SIA’s strategic plan confirms preparation for commencement in Spring 2027.](https://gov.uk/government/publications/sia-strategic-plan-2026-to-2029/sia-strategic-plan-2026-to-2029)

[The SIA’s enforcement toolkit includes](https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/protect-duty):

- Compliance notices requiring action within a specified period
- Restriction notices that limit premises use or event continuation
- Penalty notices with financial penalties for non-compliance

[Organizations that fail to comply may face fines of up to £18 million or five percent of global turnover, daily penalties for continued non-compliance, and restriction notices that can prevent venues opening or events proceeding.](https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/protect-duty) The SIA has signalled a supportive, educational approach at first, while making clear it will enforce where necessary. The message is clear: start preparing now and document your decisions so you can show that you are taking reasonably practicable steps toward compliance. To translate that into action, use the checklist below as a starting point.

## Practical Compliance Checklist

Use this practical checklist to turn the legal requirements into concrete actions.

1. **Determine your capacity:** Calculate the maximum number of people reasonably expected at one time, including staff, volunteers, performers, and contractors.
2. **Identify your tier:** Confirm whether you fall into the Standard (200–799) or Enhanced (800+) tier, or whether you are running a qualifying event.
3. **Conduct a terrorism risk assessment:** Consider your venue’s vulnerability across multiple attack methods, including the immediate vicinity where crowds gather.
4. **Develop public protection procedures:** Create procedures that cover the four key areas outlined in the standard tier section and record them clearly.
5. **Provide staff training:** Make sure all relevant personnel understand your procedures and can carry them out under pressure.
6. **Create a public protection document (Enhanced tier):** Compile your risk assessment, procedures, and training records into a single, structured document.
7. **Designate a senior individual (Enhanced tier):** Assign clear compliance responsibility to someone in management or control.
8. **Notify the SIA:** When the notification requirement starts, register your premises or event through the SIA’s online notification portal.
9. **Review and update regularly:** Treat your plans as living documents that change as your venue or event evolves.
10. **Collaborate with stakeholders:** Engage early with police, Safety Advisory Groups, and local authorities to align expectations.
11. **Use spatial planning tools:** Use OnePlan to create to-scale site plans, model crowd flow, and document security measures in a way that supports reviews and inspections.

## How OnePlan Supports Protect Duty Compliance

Protect Duty compliance relies on accurate, documented spatial planning, and OnePlan is built to deliver exactly that. The platform gives you a visual, to-scale way to plan event sites and venues so you can show that you have taken reasonably practicable steps to protect the public.

![aerial shot of a coast filled with software-added event elements. On the left, there is an app menu (OnePlan)](https://cdn.aigrowthmarketer.co/1780508353774-e6397ee8616e.png)**Beach event 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**

OnePlan’s features map directly to Protect Duty obligations. For example, to-scale site plans and capacity tools help you justify your risk-based decisions in your public protection procedures and documents.

![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**

- **Create accurate, to-scale site plans:** Show security infrastructure, crowd areas, and emergency access on live satellite or street maps, using leading GIS technology powered by Esri.
- **Use crowd capacity calculators:** Outline any area and instantly see its safe standing capacity based on selectable people-per-square-metre density, which supports defensible capacity decisions for the SIA and Safety Advisory Groups.
- **Collaborate with stakeholders in real time:** Share one live plan with security teams, police, Safety Advisory Groups, and local authorities to avoid version-control issues.
- **Export professional documentation:** Generate high-resolution maps (up to A0, print-ready) and Bill of Quantities reports for permits, contractors, and SIA inspections.
- **Import existing plans:** Convert PDFs, images, and CAD-derived files to .png and build on top of them, turning static documents into reusable base maps.

OnePlan has powered [200,000 events in 150 countries](https://www.oneplan.io/case-studies/how-silverstone-planned-the-british-grand-prix-in-oneplan/?utm_term=protect-duty-legislation-guide&utm_campaign=ai_growth_agent). These range from community festivals to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. [Silverstone, which plans the Formula 1 British Grand Prix and more than 50 events each year, achieved a 13x ROI using OnePlan as its single source of truth.](https://www.oneplan.io/case-studies/how-silverstone-planned-the-british-grand-prix-in-oneplan/?utm_term=protect-duty-legislation-guide&utm_campaign=ai_growth_agent) [Eagle Mountain City cut planning time by 70% for community events while improving cross-department collaboration.](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=protect-duty-legislation-guide&utm_campaign=ai_growth_agent)

To explore how these capabilities can support your Protect Duty planning, [**book a short OnePlan demo**](https://www.oneplan.io/book-demo/?utm_term=protect-duty-legislation-guide&utm_campaign=ai_growth_agent).

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What Is the Protect Duty?

The Protect Duty, also known as Martyn’s Law, is UK legislation formally titled the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025. It requires venues and events that are accessible to the public to improve preparedness for terrorist attacks through tiered requirements based on capacity. The Act applies across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. It is named in memory of Martyn Hett, one of the 22 victims of the 2017 Manchester Arena attack, following years of campaigning by his mother, Figen Murray OBE.

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

The Act received Royal Assent in April 2025, with an implementation period of at least 24 months. The Security Industry Authority is planning for commencement in Spring 2027. The Act is being phased into force through commencement regulations. The first brought the statutory guidance provisions into force in April 2026, with further provisions commenced in June 2026. The main duties on premises and events are expected to commence no earlier than April 2027.

### Who Enforces the Protect Duty?

The Security Industry Authority (SIA) is the regulator. The SIA will issue guidance, receive notifications from in-scope premises and events, carry out inspections, and take enforcement action through compliance notices, restriction notices, and financial penalties. The SIA has committed to a supportive and proportionate approach during the initial implementation period, with a focus on education and guidance, while making clear it will enforce where necessary. [There is no fee for notification to the SIA, and inspected premises will not receive a public rating.](https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/protect-duty)

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

Standard tier applies to premises with 200–799 people reasonably expected at one time. It requires public protection procedures covering evacuation, invacuation, lockdown, and communication, plus staff training for certain premises. Enhanced tier applies to premises with 800+ people and qualifying events. It adds public protection measures such as CCTV, access control, and searching and screening, a documented public protection document, and designation of a senior individual responsible for compliance. Certain premises, including childcare, primary and secondary education, further education, and places of worship, remain in the standard tier regardless of expected attendance.

### What Does “Reasonably Practicable” Mean Under Martyn’s Law?

“Reasonably practicable” means proportionate to the risk and context. Responsible persons must weigh the benefits of procedures and measures against the cost, time, and difficulty of implementation. The law does not require actions that would compromise staff safety or impose disproportionate measures for the venue’s size and risk profile. The Act is not prescriptive about specific security measures. Instead, it requires responsible persons to consider what is appropriate for their circumstances and to document and justify decisions in line with what a reasonable organization in the same position would do.

### Does the Protect Duty Apply to Outdoor Events?

Yes. The legislation covers premises that include outdoor locations. Open-air events are in scope where there is a well-defined and secure perimeter and entry checks control access to the event area. Qualifying events with 800 or more people reasonably expected are subject to enhanced tier requirements. The scope analysis focuses on where the event is taking place, which is particularly relevant for festivals, sporting events, and temporary venues. Open-air parks and gardens without access restrictions fall outside scope.

### How Can I Prepare for Protect Duty Compliance?

Start by confirming your capacity and tier. Then conduct a terrorism risk assessment that covers multiple attack methods and the immediate vicinity of your venue. Develop public protection procedures for the four key areas, train staff, and document every decision. Enhanced tier premises should also create a public protection document and designate a senior individual. Engage early with police, Safety Advisory Groups, and local authorities. Use spatial planning tools like OnePlan to create accurate, to-scale site plans that show your approach to compliance and support stakeholder collaboration.

## Conclusion: Start Your Protect Duty Compliance Journey Today

Protect Duty legislation is coming and will affect thousands of venues and events across the UK. Smooth compliance depends on preparation. Understand your tier, document your procedures, train your staff, and show that you have taken reasonably practicable steps to protect the public.

OnePlan provides the spatial planning and documentation tools that help you meet these requirements with confidence. Accurate to-scale site plans, crowd capacity calculations, real-time stakeholder collaboration, and professional export documentation all support your compliance work and your event delivery.

[**Schedule a OnePlan demo to see how it can support your Protect Duty planning**](https://www.oneplan.io/book-demo/?utm_term=protect-duty-legislation-guide&utm_campaign=ai_growth_agent).

## Read Next

- [Festival Barrier Placement Guide for Safer Events](https://oneplan.io/articles/festival-barrier-placement-guide?utm_term=protect-duty-legislation-guide&utm_campaign=ai_growth_agent)
- [Special Event Permit Site Plan: The Complete Checklist](https://oneplan.io/articles/event-permit-site-plan-requirements?utm_term=protect-duty-legislation-guide&utm_campaign=ai_growth_agent)
- [How to Create an Event Site Plan for Fire Marshal Review](https://oneplan.io/articles/event-site-plan-fire-marshal?utm_term=protect-duty-legislation-guide&utm_campaign=ai_growth_agent)
- [Event Safety Map for City Permit: What to Include](https://oneplan.io/articles/event-safety-map-city-permit?utm_term=protect-duty-legislation-guide&utm_campaign=ai_growth_agent)
- [Event Safety Plan Template: Free 2026 Guide (Word + PDF)](https://oneplan.io/articles/event-safety-plan-template-2026?utm_term=protect-duty-legislation-guide&utm_campaign=ai_growth_agent)

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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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