Legal Update - 4 April 2025
The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, also known as ‘Martyn’s Law’, was given Royal Assent on 3 April 2025 following a campaign to improve security at venues due to the Manchester Arena attack where 22 people lost their lives.
The Act will require those responsible for certain premises and events to take appropriate steps to reduce vulnerability to terrorist attacks and, support the response, should an attack occur.
The Security Industry Authority (SIA) will regulate enforcement of the new measures and develop new functions to support, advise and guide those responsible for premises and events, ensuring that they are ready to respond to a terrorist incident. Offences may be committed by persons or bodies corporate who fail to comply with a compliance or restriction notice issued by the SIA or, provide false information to them.
Currently, certain sections of the Act are only in force from 3 April 2025 for the purposes of making regulations, see section 35.
It is expected that the government intends for an implementation period of at least 24 months before the Act fully comes into force to allow for the SIA’s new function to be established.
Government guidance is to be published in due course to assist premises and event holders to understand their new requirements and obligations under the legislation.
