Martyn’s Law, otherwise known as the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill has now received Royal Assent. The law will require venues with a capacity for 200 or more people to prepare for and protect people from potential terrorist attacks. Mike Bullock, CEO of the guarding firm and ACS Pacesetters member Corps Security, describes the law as a huge step forward.
He says: “Nearly eight years ago, the Manchester Arena bomb attack took the lives of 22 people, including Martyn Hett, the son of Figen Murray. For the past six years, Figen has tirelessly campaigned for this bill to become law. We have always supported Figen’s mission. On its seventh anniversary in May 2024, members of Corps, including Corps Consult executive director Mike Bluestone, joined Figen in Hertfordshire for 12 miles of her 200 mile walk from Manchester to London, to raise awareness for the cause.
“Bringing in these changes has not been easy. Figen’s determined campaigning means that finally, we will see the promise of Martyn’s Law honoured, for the safety of our nation.”
Kieran Mackie, managing director of Amulet, also an ACS Pacesetters company, likewise welcomed Martyn’s Law. He said: “Figen Murray and industry leaders have tirelessly campaigned for six years to enhance the safety powers of venues across the UK. This law will help us ensure that events like the attack at Manchester Arena or the Brixton O2 Academy crowd crush could never happen again.
“The law will require venues capacity for 200 or more people to proactively prepare for potential attacks. That makes situational awareness technology a fundamental aspect in sharing intelligence and responding to threats, knitting together the various elements of a security solution. Organisations need to prioritise technological integration to prepare themselves for this new law. Martyn’s Law is a significant step in the right direction – it is essential that all public venues and security providers are committed to ensuring protection that is tailored to the needs of the spaces we operate in.”
Roger Ringham, chair of the NAHS (National Association for Healthcare Security) at the association’s conference in Birmingham in November 2023 presented Figen with an award. He said that he was pleased beyond words: “Now the work begins to ensure adherence and compliance.”
Some background
For the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, visit https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3765. For more, see the UK official ProtectUK website. The Security Industry Authority (SIA) under the Act will regulate Martyn’s Law; its details for compliance purposes, and any enforcement are unlikely before 2027 at the earliest.
At the SIA, chair Heather Baily described it as ‘a watershed moment for public safety in the UK’, while Michelle Russell, Chief Executive said: “We will ensure in a robust and proportionate way premises and events in scope of this duty comply with the requirements. We are working with the Home Office on the preparation work for this new role and we will be setting up a new programme of work in due course.”
Photo by Mark Rowe; badge given by Figen Murray in May 2024 to those who accompanied her on her 200-mile protest march from Manchester to London during her campaign.
