The Home Office has now released the Section 27 guidance covering Martyn’s law/ The Terrorism (Protection of Premises act). The guidance consists of nine chapters. Please find a link to the guidance and supplementary documents here: The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 – GOV.UK
This guidance is designed to explain the Act’s requirements in a way that works for all and reflects the government’s clear intent that those responsible for premises and events in scope can comply without needing to buy specialist services. Alongside the statutory guidance, they are continuing to develop a wider package of supporting material to help organisations understand the requirements of the Act and prepare for commencement.
Whilst those that fall within scope of the Act may wish to begin considering the requirements, there is no requirement to comply with them until the legislation comes into force.
The law includes village halls, community centres, venues for hire for events or activities, exhibition halls and conference centres where:
- It is reasonable to expect that from time to time 200 or more individuals may be present on the premises at the same time (paras. 4.22 to 4.34).
- The premises are not excluded from being in scope of the Act, as specified in part 1 of Schedule 2 to the Act (para. 4.35).
A location that does not meet the criteria in chapter 4 of the guidance may still host events that are in scope of the Act. See chapter 5 for more information on events that may be in scope. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-terrorism-protection-of-premises-act-2025/terrorism-protection-of-premises-act-2025-statutory-guidance#chapter-5-scope–qualifying-events
ACRE is going to put together a guidance sheet for Community Halls about Martyn’s Law, and this is coming very soon.
There are three Village Hall examples in the main guidance which is very helpful.
Example: A village hall hosts regular community activities including sports clubs, Guides, Scouts and jumble sales. The hall has a safe occupancy figure of 250 individuals. If it were expected that 200 or more individuals (including staff) would be present at any one time, from time to time, the hall would be in the standard tier. However, historic records of attendance at these activities demonstrate that there have not been more than 150 individuals on the premises at any one time in the last five years. Therefore, those responsible for the village hall consider that it is out of scope of the legislation.
See supplementary document A for methods for calculating the number of individuals present. Supplementary documents available at: www.gov.uk/government/collections/terrorism-protection-of-premisesbill-2024
Example: A band from the village has recently had chart success and has hired the hall to play a concert for the community. They expect to sell 220 tickets and have additional support staff, which will result in 250 individuals being present on the premises at any one time for this event. The premises will not be drawn into the standard tier and will remain out of scope of the legislation, as this event was unforeseen and is not expected to be repeated. The event will not be a qualifying event under the legislation, as that would require there to be 800 or more individuals at the event at any one time and this will not be the case here. However, if the band’s success continues and they subsequently hire the hall to play further concerts on the premises, and it is reasonable to expect that 200 or more individuals may be present on the premises at the same time, the premises would be drawn into scope of the standard tier.
Example: A community centre has a large hall that is available for hire. It is hired out for events and activities including amateur dramatics performances and craft markets, and as an overspill space for the local mosque for Friday prayers and during Ramadan. Those responsible for the community centre reasonably expect that 200 or more individuals (including staff) may be present on the premises at the same time, from time to time, to attend such activities. Therefore, the community centre is in scope of the Act as standard tier premises.
A consultation from The Security Industry Authority
The Security Industry Authority are the regulators of Martyn’s Law -details here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/martyns-law-the-sias-new-regulatory-role/martyns-law-the-sias-new-regulatory-role#:~:text=In%20addition%20to%20the%20requirements,time%2C%20will%20be%20required%20to:
Consultation: The SIA are holding a public consultation on section 12 of the act, about how it will exercise its functions as the regulator. For all those affected by the law i.e. in the standard tier and above and those who hold occasional events with expected numbers of attendees over 200, it will be worth engaging in this consultation.