The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 – A statutory duty to enhance public safety against terrorism

The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 (TPPA 2025), widely known as Martyn’s Law, was enacted following critical findings from inquiries such as the Manchester Arena Inquiry, which investigated the devastating 2017 bombing. Named in memory of Martyn Hett, one of the victims, the Act received Royal Assent on the 3^rd  April 2025. It forms a core element of the UK’s Counter-Terrorism Strategy, reinforcing the ‘Protect’ and ‘Prepare’ pillars.

The legislation recognises and addresses vulnerabilities in public venue and event security—highlighted not only by the Manchester tragedy but also by numerous disrupted terrorist plots since 2017. It aims to close these preparedness gaps and ensure a proactive approach to public safety.

Public Safety Justification

Given that the UK’s threat level is regularly assessed as substantial (indicating an attack is likely), the Act sets out a compelling legal and policy rationale for strengthening protection across public spaces. Its primary goal is to place clear, enforceable duties on landlords, venue operators, and event organisers, establishing consistent standards of security planning and promoting legal accountability.

Core Structure: Tiered Regulatory Obligations

The regulatory obligations under TPPA 2025 are different depending on the venue or event.

1. Standard Duty (200–799 capacity), applying to venues accommodating 200–799 people (e.g. many large retail stores, restaurants, theatres):

• Registration with the Security Industry Authority (SIA) is mandatory.
• Duty holders must adopt public protection procedures, including evacuation/invacuation plans, securing premises (e.g. lockable doors), and emergency communication protocols.
• No physical infrastructure upgrades are mandated at this level.

2. Enhanced Duty (800+ capacity or qualifying events), applying to venues or events with 800 or more attendees (e.g. large arenas, major festivals):

• Includes all of the standard duties (above);
• Additional requirements include risk reduction measures such as CCTV, access control, bag searches, and hostile vehicle mitigation.
• Duty holders must formally document risk assessments and implemented security actions.
• Shared responsibility is expected in multi-occupied premises (e.g. shopping centres), necessitating coordination between landlords and tenants.

Regulatory Framework and Enforcement

The Act also grants enhanced regulatory powers to the SIA, including:

• Issuing compliance and restriction notices;
• Imposing monetary penalties up to £18 million; and,
• Criminal sanctions for serious or repeated non-compliance.

Crucially, the Act preserves rights to civil action for breaches of statutory duty. A transition period of at least 24 months will facilitate statutory guidance development, regulatory setup, and stakeholder readiness.

Scope and Coverage

The Act applies to publicly accessible venues listed in Schedule 1 including shops, schools, hospitals, hotels, and places of worship.  It has UK-wide application, covering England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland to ensure national consistency.  There are, however, certain exclusions for certain open-access spaces (e.g. parks), or venues under existing heightened security regimes (e.g. airports).

Legal and Policy Significance

The TPPA 2025 signifies a paradigm shift in UK terrorism legislation. It transforms previously non-binding guidance into statutory obligations, embedding a culture of proactive and proportionate security planning.

By codifying standard and enhanced duties, and introducing clear thresholds, the Act brings much-needed legal certainty. Duty holders are now required to adopt a risk-based approach, implementing appropriate measures based on evidence-led assessments. The legislation ensures that legal obligations are scaled according to venue size and risk, avoiding undue burden while protecting the public.

Conclusion

The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 represents landmark reform, embedding counter-terrorism readiness into the operational and legal responsibilities of venue and event operators. Its structured, tiered framework is designed to institutionalise protective practices, close critical security gaps, and promote greater preparedness in high-footfall spaces.

Over the next two years, implementation will demand significant coordination across stakeholders—including landlords, tenants, security professionals, and regulators. Non-adherence will carry significant legal and financial implications. In essence, Martyn’s Law is not just a legal reform — it is a solemn public commitment to safeguarding lives through better protection of public spaces.