Who does Martyn’s Law apply to?

Martyn’s Law (the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill) is expected to apply to organisations responsible for publicly accessible locations, particularly where people gather in significant numbers.

Who it applies to

The law is designed to cover those who own, operate, or manage premises that are open to the public. This typically includes:

• Entertainment venues and event spaces (e.g. concert halls, theatres, festivals)
• Retail environments such as shopping centres and high streets
• Sports stadiums and arenas
• Public buildings and visitor attractions
• Hospitality venues including pubs, bars, hotels, and restaurants
• Transport hubs and large public infrastructure sites

Different levels of responsibility

Martyn’s Law is expected to introduce a tiered approach, meaning requirements will vary depending on:

• The capacity of the venue
• The type of activity or use
• The level of footfall and risk exposure

In general:

• Smaller venues will need to take basic, proportionate steps (e.g. awareness training and simple procedures)
• Larger venues will face more formal obligations, such as documented risk assessments, security planning, and physical protective measures

Who is legally responsible

Responsibility will usually fall on the “responsible person” — this could be:

• The building owner
• A facilities or site manager
• An operator or event organiser

They are expected to ensure that risk assessments are carried out and that appropriate, proportionate security measures are in place.

What it means in practice

Martyn’s Law focuses on improving preparedness against potential threats by requiring sites to:

• Understand and assess security risks
• Put in place reasonable and proportionate mitigation measures
• Improve staff awareness and response procedures
• Consider physical security where appropriate (e.g. access control, barriers, or hostile vehicle mitigation in higher-risk locations)

Key takeaway

The core principle is simple: if a site is open to the public, those responsible for it must take practical, proportionate steps to improve safety and preparedness, based on the level of risk.

If you’re unsure whether your site falls within scope, it’s worth reviewing capacity, public access, and usage — as these are the main factors that determine how Martyn’s Law will apply.