What is Martyn’s Law? Essential Security Equipment for Events and Public Spaces

The 2017 Manchester Arena bombing was one of the worst terrorist atrocities committed on UK shores, killing 22 victims and injuring more than 1,000. In the aftermath of the attack, which targeted revellers at an Ariana Grande concert, there were widespread calls for better regulations and counter terrorism support to enhance security and preparedness at event venues in the face of terrorist threats.

At the forefront of the campaign was Figen Murray, mother of one of the Manchester Arena bombing victims, Martyn Hett. The tireless efforts of Figen and others resulted in the introduction of the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, commonly known as Martyns Law in honour of Figen’s son.

The law aims to make public events less exposed to terrorist threats by requiring venue operators and event organisers to implement protective security measures. In this article, we’ll explore what Martyn’s Law entails, its impact on event planning and venue management, and some of the technology available to operators to help them ensure compliance.

The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill Explained

The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill sets out a legal framework requiring public premises and qualifying event organisers to carry out risk assessments for terrorist attacks and put proportionate security measures in place. The law introduces two tiers of duty – a Standard tier for venues with a capacity of 200 to 799, and an Enhanced tier for those with a capacity over 800.

Although the Act was passed in 2025, there will be an implementation period of at least 24 months to give businesses and organisations time to get up to speed with the new regulations.

Why Martyn’s Law Matters for Events and Public Venues

Around the world, public events and venues – be it sports stadiums, theatres, shopping centres, concert arenas or temporary outdoor festivals — have become targets for terrorists precisely because they see so many people congregate in one place. Large crowds are not just a convenient target, they also help attackers carry out their crimes by blending in undetected.

Martyn’s Law matters because it directly addresses this vulnerability by requiring venues to embrace proactive safety planning and mitigation.

Legal Responsibilities for Organisers and Venue Managers

The practicalities of what venues and organisers will be required to do to comply with the law differ by tier:

For Standard tier venues, a named individual will be required to notify the Security Industry Authority (SIA) that they are responsible for premises security. While there is no requirement for venues of this size to put in place physical security measures, they will be expected to have procedures in place to reduce the risk of physical harm to members of the public should a terrorist incident occur, such as evacuation, lockdown and communication protocols.
In addition to registering with the SIA and having safety mitigation procedures in place, enhanced duty premises will be required to introduce appropriate physical security measures, including monitoring of the venue and its immediate vicinity. They will also be required to clearly document all protocols they have in place, and have a named individual to take responsibility for compliance.

It’s important to note that the Act emphasises the importance of good communication in being able to respond to threats quickly, manage crowds efficiently and ultimately protect people. Larger venues will be required to provide evidence of how their communications arrangements meet these requirements. But even for those in the Standard tier, good comms should be seen as a key part of incident mitigation planning.

For many venues, this will mean upgrading their communications and surveillance infrastructure.

Strengthening Your On-Site Security Setup

As a specialist in communications equipment with 50 years’ experience serving the events industry, MTech Brentwood supplies all the equipment you need to establish clear, reliable lines of communication that will hold up in critical situations, and support enhanced surveillance and premises protection. Our solutions are scalable to suit all venue sizes, from small indoor events to large outdoor festivals.

The Role of Communication Systems in Emergency Response

In an emergency, every second counts. Robust and well-planned communication systems enable security staff to report suspicious activity, share intelligence, manage crowds, and coordinate responses with external agencies.

Two-way radios, body-worn video, and public announcement systems form the backbone of comms systems designed to aid emergency response. Here’s a closer look at the role each of these three components plays.

Two Way Radios

Two-way radios have been the go-to comms option for security and emergency response personnel for more than half a century. Even in the age of mobile phones, two-way radios are trusted for their resilience and simplicity. They are flexible, easy to use, allow you to broadcast to large numbers of users at once, and they’re not dependent on mobile or WiFi networks that can get jammed by high traffic volumes – perfect for coordinating event and security teams at busy venues in real time.

In addition to the basics of voice communication, Brentwood supplies digital two-way radios with advanced features like GPS tracking, emergency alerts and Man Down sensors, all of which help with coordinating incident responses, not to mention keeping personnel safe.

Body Worn Cameras

Body-worn cameras have become a must-have accessory for law enforcement and security professionals around the world, and with good reason. They play an invaluable dual role in security and safety management, first of all by capturing first-hand evidence of incidents as they unfold, but, just as importantly, acting as a deterrent to criminal behaviour.

Brentwood’s range includes HD-capable bodycams with long battery life, secure data storage and streaming capabilities, infrared for use in low-light environments, and integration with two-way radio and CCTV systems.

PA Equipment

Public address systems can be vitally important in managing crowds and providing clear guidance during an emergency. Brentwood supplies portable and fixed audio-visual (AV) systems to suit venues of all types and sizes.

How to Prepare Your Venue for Martyn’s Law

The first step to getting ready for Martyn’s Law is to carry out a thorough review of your current safety and security procedures and compare them with the new requirements. This should include assessing the comms equipment you use, and considering where new or upgraded systems could help you with compliance.

Partnering With a Specialist Provider

While Martyn’s Law is new, MTech Brentwood has decades of experience working in both the security and events industries. We understand deeply the role comms equipment plays in incident response, crowd management and health and safety compliance. This is all knowledge and expertise that we can apply to helping venue operators and event organisers meet the new requirements – particularly smaller venues that fall in the Standard tier, which may be considering using radio and surveillance equipment for the first time.

Trusted by Major UK Events

MTech Brentwood has a proven track record of supplying communications systems for high-profile events, large event promoters and event security specialists across the UK, including:

Scalable Solutions for Any Premises or Event

Every venue is different. Our team of experts will evaluate your venue layout, expected footfall, and existing systems before recommending suitable equipment. This might include a combination of radios, CCTV, PA systems, and wearable tech – all calibrated to work seamlessly together for a streamlined security operation.

Not every event or venue requires permanent infrastructure. We offer solutions that support full compliance without locking you into long-term contracts. Our short- and medium-term flexible radio hire service is perfect for event organisers who need temporary communications for days, weeks, or months. We provide everything from radios and chargers to full event coverage with setup, support, and debrief.

Whether you’re running a small local gig venue or managing security for a major event, we have the technology and experience to support you. Our scalable solutions can be adapted for long-term use or short-term hire – and they’ve been proven at some of the UK’s biggest events.

Get in touch with our friendly team today to find out more.

FAQs

What is the role of the SIA (Security Industry Authority) in Martyn’s Law compliance?

The SIA is a non-departmental government agency sponsored by the Home Office that is responsible for regulating the private security industry in the UK, including the licensing of security personnel. It will be tasked with overseeing compliance with Martyn’s Law. That role involves providing advice on and ensuring compliance with the statutory guidance, supporting those responsible for qualifying premises and events to meet their obligations and determining what reasonably practicable procedures and measures should be put in place.

What is the difference between enhanced and standard duty premises?

Under Martyn’s Law, Standard duty premises are defined as those with a capacity of 200–799. They are required to conduct basic terrorism risk assessments, put protocols in place to protect public safety in the event of a task, and register a named individual with the SIA. Enhanced premises are those with a capacity of 800+. They must fulfil all standard duties plus develop detailed security plans, implement more advanced physical and procedural measures, and regularly test their emergency response systems.

How does Martyn’s Law contribute to public protection at events?

Martyn’s Law promotes proactive safety planning by making it a legal requirement to assess terrorism risks and take preventive action. It ensures that venues and organisers are better prepared to respond to threats through trained staff, structured procedures, and effective communication systems. The result is a safer environment for the public, with improved incident detection and faster emergency response.

What are qualifying premises under Martyn’s Law?

Qualifying premises include any location that is publicly accessible and meets the relevant capacity thresholds. This includes, but is not limited to:

Sports stadiums
Music venues and concert halls
Theatres and cinemas
Shopping centres
Conference and exhibition centres
Places of worship
Outdoor festivals and events

If your premises host gatherings of 100 or more people, you are likely to be affected by the legislation and should begin preparations now.