Martin’s Law: Preparing for a Safer Future in Public Venues

At a recent industry subgroup session, Steve Laws of Taylorbridges delivered an in-depth presentation on the current progress and implications of the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill—commonly known as Martin’s Law. Drawing from personal experience, professional insight, and years of monitoring the legislation’s development, Laws painted a clear picture of the challenges and responsibilities facing event professionals and venue operators across the UK.

The Origins of Martin’s Law

Martin’s Law is named in honour of Martin Hett, one of the 22 victims of the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing. Since the attack, Martin’s mother, Figen Murray, has tirelessly campaigned for legislative change to ensure greater security at publicly accessible locations. Her mission: that no other family should suffer such a preventable tragedy.

Laws, who narrowly avoided being at the arena that night, recalled the chilling experience and explained how it has personally driven his commitment to supporting this initiative. The proposed legislation, now a parliamentary bill, mandates counterterrorism planning and protective measures in venues and public events.

A Changing Threat Landscape

Since 2017, the UK has faced 15 terrorist attacks and disrupted 39 more in their final stages. Despite this, there remains no legal obligation for venues to assess terrorist threats or implement proportionate security measures. Martin’s Law aims to change that, embedding safety and preparedness into the DNA of event planning.

Laws noted the random nature of these attacks—from vehicle rammings to stabbings and suicide bombings—which makes comprehensive preparedness not just a legal requirement but a moral and social one.

Two Tiers of Responsibility

The legislation proposes a tiered system based on venue capacity:

• Standard Tier: Venues or events expecting between 200–799 people must implement basic security procedures.

• Enhanced Tier: For events with 800+ expected attendees, more rigorous plans and infrastructure will be required.

The key concept underpinning the legislation is “reasonably practicable” action—mirroring the existing language of health and safety law.

From Planning to People

While Martin’s Law introduces new expectations, Laws was clear: the core of effective counterterrorism response lies in people, not just technology. From locking doors to recognizing suspicious behaviour, well-trained staff are often the first and most critical line of defence.

He cited a real-world example of an 18-year-old café worker who instinctively dropped the shutters to protect customers from a threatening individual—proving that awareness and empowerment are crucial.

Challenges Ahead

A central concern remains around regulation. The Security Industry Authority (SIA) is expected to take on the regulatory role—despite criticism over its limited experience in proportionate enforcement compared to bodies like the Health and Safety Executive. Questions remain about how effectively the SIA will scale its oversight and support compliance.

Laws also highlighted the importance of supporting smaller venues, which may struggle with resources. For them, the focus will likely be more on processes and staff training rather than costly infrastructure changes.

Industry Impact

From football clubs to festivals and logistics providers, the implications are wide-reaching. Logistics companies, in particular, face uncertainties around warehouse security, accreditation processes, and compliance requirements that may arise too late to factor into tender pricing.

Professionals like Laws and others in the session urged event organisers to begin reviewing their safety procedures now—before enforcement begins. This proactive approach will not only ensure compliance but demonstrate a commitment to public safety.

A Call to Prepare

Martin’s Law is set to receive Royal Assent in 2025, with a proposed grace period of up to two years for implementation. But for Steve Laws and many others, the time to act is now.

In his closing remarks, Laws emphasised: “It’s not just about legal compliance—it’s a social responsibility. We owe it to the public to do everything reasonably practicable to protect them.”

As venues across the UK begin adjusting to this coming shift, Martin’s Law stands as both a tribute to victims and a powerful step toward a safer future.