The introduction of the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, more commonly known as Martyn’s Law, marks one of the most significant developments in public safety affecting local authorities in recent years. Following Royal Assent in April 2025, the legislation establishes a framework designed to improve preparedness and public protection in the event of a terrorist attack. The Act introduces a proportionate, tiered approach, focused on helping organisations become better prepared to protect people and respond effectively during an incident.

While Martyn’s Law is often viewed through a security lens, its implications for local government extend far beyond physical protection measures. At its core, the legislation is about resilience, leadership and preparedness. It challenges organisations to understand risk, ensure staff know what to do in an emergency and demonstrate that appropriate procedures are in place.

Why Local Authorities should pay attention

Few organisations have the breadth of responsibilities held by local authorities.

Councils own, operate and manage a wide range of publicly accessible places, including theatres, leisure centres, museums, libraries, civic buildings, heritage attractions, sports venues and public events. Many of these venues may fall within the scope of Martyn’s Law, while others will continue to be expected to demonstrate good practice through existing public safety, health and safety and emergency planning arrangements.

Local authorities also occupy a unique position as place leaders. Through licensing, planning, Safety Advisory Groups (SAGs), community safety partnerships and emergency planning arrangements, councils help shape how risk is understood and managed across their communities. Although enforcement of the legislation will sit with the Security Industry Authority (SIA), local government has an important role in promoting preparedness and supporting partners across the wider local system.

Supporting the wider local ecosystem

Martyn’s Law is not just about council-owned venues and events.

Across every local authority area there are independent theatres, village halls, community centres, sports clubs, charities, faith organisations, festivals and event organisers who may be affected by the legislation or benefit from understanding its principles. For many smaller organisations, the biggest challenge will not be compliance, but understanding what the legislation means in practice.

This presents an opportunity for local authorities to use their existing networks and partnerships to build awareness and preparedness. Through Safety Advisory Groups, licensing forums, cultural partnerships, voluntary sector networks and community safety arrangements, councils can help organisations access guidance, understand their responsibilities and adopt a proportionate approach to preparedness.

By signposting resources such as ProtectUK, ACT Awareness training and Counter Terrorism Policing guidance, authorities can help build confidence and capability across the wider sector. In doing so, they can support a more resilient local ecosystem where organisations of all sizes are better equipped to protect the public.

More than a security issue

One of the strongest messages emerging from government guidance is that Martyn’s Law is intended to be proportionate. The legislation is not about turning every venue into a high-security environment or requiring expensive security infrastructure. Instead, it focuses on ensuring organisations have considered the risks they face and have practical arrangements in place to keep people safe if an incident occurs.

For local authorities, this should feel familiar. Emergency response plans, evacuation procedures, safeguarding arrangements, event safety management and business continuity planning are already embedded across many services. Martyn’s Law builds on these foundations rather than replacing them. The expectation is that organisations can demonstrate those arrangements are effective, coordinated and regularly reviewed.

Importantly, preparedness is not achieved through policies and procedures alone. Regular training, awareness sessions and testing of plans are essential to ensure staff understand their roles and can respond confidently during an incident. Local authorities and venue operators should be building exercises, scenario-based learning and periodic reviews into normal operations, recognising that effective preparedness requires ongoing commitment, leadership support and appropriate resourcing

Understanding the tiered approach

A defining feature of the legislation is its tiered model.

• The Standard Tier generally applies to qualifying premises where it is reasonable to expect between 200 and 799 people to be present. The focus is on public protection procedures, including evacuation, invacuation, lockdown arrangements and emergency communications.
• The Enhanced Tier generally applies to premises and qualifying events where it is reasonable to expect 800 or more people to be present. Additional requirements include assessing vulnerabilities, considering reasonably practicable protection measures, maintaining documentation and designating a senior individual where responsibility sits with an organisation.

For leisure, culture, sport and events professionals, understanding which venues and activities are likely to fall within these categories is an important first step in preparing for implementation.

The challenge is not starting, it is coordinating

Across local government, many councils are not starting from scratch.

Staff already undertake ACT Awareness and Prevent training. Event organisers work closely with policing partners and Safety Advisory Groups. Emergency planning teams regularly coordinate exercises and preparedness activity. Venue operators routinely review safety procedures and operational risks.

The challenge is often not whether activity exists, but whether it is coordinated, documented and capable of providing assurance. Can the authority clearly identify who is responsible? Are procedures consistent across venues? Is there a governance framework that provides oversight and accountability?

These are the questions that Martyn’s Law increasingly brings into focus. The legislation moves organisations from good practice towards demonstrable preparedness.

Looking ahead

Martyn’s Law should be viewed as an opportunity as much as a challenge.

For CLOA members and professionals working across leisure, culture, sport and events, the legislation provides a catalyst for strengthening organisational resilience, improving partnership working and embedding public protection more firmly within service delivery. It reinforces the importance of creating safe, welcoming and resilient places while maintaining accessibility and positive visitor experiences.

As implementation approaches, local authorities should be reviewing their venues and events, assessing current arrangements and considering how they can support both their own services and the wider community to build preparedness.

Martyn’s Law is ultimately about people. It is about ensuring staff know what to do, leaders understand their responsibilities and organisations are better prepared to protect the public should the unthinkable happen. For local government, that is a responsibility we should embrace.

Paul Cowell, Chief Culture Officer at Medway Council and CLOA Executive Member