Ian Littell of Axis Communications explores compliance with the new Terrorism Act and the role that integrated technology should now play.

“The UK’s Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, also known as Martyn’s Law, received Royal Assent in April 2025, with the UK Government offering a brief 24-month implementation period before the act comes into force.

“Named for Martyn Hett, a victim of the Manchester Arena attack, the act’s aims are simple: to improve protective security and organisational preparedness in applicable premises and at applicable events.

“Martyn’s Law marks a new chapter for public safety in the UK, one which flips the focus from reactive procedures to proactive readiness.

“The legislation makes risk assessment and management, rightfully, a priority – but while compliance is not yet a legal imperative, it’s a clear signal that venues large and small must start to reframe the way they think about public risk.

“It’s a country-wide call to action, one which both sets a deadline for the implementation of smarter, integrated security strategies and brings the reason for this action into stark focus.

Wider regulation, even for small venues

Many venues and events are subject to regulation by the new act. The proposed threshold of Martyn’s Law is split into two: premises where it is reasonable to expect more than 200 people to be present at a time, referred to as standard duty, and those which might have over 800 individuals on site, known as enhanced duty. Standard duty locales must notify the Security Industry Authority (SIA) of their premises and put in place ‘appropriate public protection procedures’; enhanced duty requires additional reporting, enhanced risk assessments, and measures in place to monitor their premises and the immediate vicinity.

“Those thresholds are much more common than many may realise, and they do not refer to an average, more a possibility or a maximum. This means even small venues could be impacted, and Martyn’s Law affects sectors from healthcare and retail, to education, transport, sports, and many more.

“When it comes to improving public protection, then, technology will prove essential. It is not just a tool but an enabler, one which can warrant the efficacy of public protection procedures and build safer locations for all.

The value of integrated security

“Integrating technology allows security professionals and compliance managers et al to vastly improve their risk assessment processes and decision making.

“We now have the ability to work with live intelligence, which makes the difference between a static plan and a dynamic response. Do it right, and there’s a wealth of data to work from.

“For instance, combining video, audio and access control allows the production of real-time occupancy (people counting) data which can then feed into efficient evacuation, invacuation, or lockdown procedures as well as improving communication with those involved.

“Live data can also drive AI and analytics, detecting patterns which could lead to a preventative response, better occupancy management, or even a streamlined evacuation plan.

“Integrated systems not only inform but empower, enabling a venue to respond as threats emerge. Whether it’s recognising repeated appearances on site or detecting hostile action through audio cues, intelligent systems shift the narrative from delayed reaction to active prevention.

“This is not, we should be clear, a case of overhauling and replacing, it’s about being smart. Most larger premises already have technology on site, and it’s time to make the most of it, drawing from the plentiful data it provides to boost readiness and response, upgrading legacy systems to add new functionality like AI-based people counting, zoned evacuation, and real-time capacity monitoring.

Building security from the ground up

“The particulars of Martyn’s Law, though, mean that many venues and events fall under its auspices which do not have the security infrastructure to support such actions, something which doubtless feels daunting. 200 attendees is a low bar; a school fair, a marketplace, a pop-up concert, all conceivably occupied by more than 200 individuals but will likely lack a technology foundation.

“In these cases, it’s important that these premises and events start small and employ scalable, practical solutions in order to know, without any ambiguity, when the proposed threshold for Martyn’s Law has been reached.

“The establishment of appropriate public protection procedures will likely be mandatory under the Terrorism Act – but those leading evacuations, invacuations, lockdowns and public communication will only be able to properly execute any plan with the help of live information. They must be given the tools and data which enable them to manage risk in real time.

“Even simple tools like IP audio or a single camera employed to perform reliable people counting can make a big difference to the effectiveness of preparedness planning and execution.

“Martyn’s Law will likely stipulate, to be made clear in the Home Office guidance, that the person in control of premises is deemed the responsible person no matter what event or use that venue is performing. There is no sense in waiting until the law is enforced or, worse, until an incident happens.

“Responsible persons need to consider this now and support the employment of protective solutions, however small.

The responsibility of security providers

“The security industry naturally has a role to play in the smooth implementation of Martyn’s Law, both as provider and educator. End users need to know what’s possible, and security providers must support them towards their goals, supporting as many applicable verticals as possible.

“And the industry must be aware, in itself, that these changes are not only for premises operators. They mark a key milestone in security’s own cultural shift from reactive to proactive. Change often follows tragedy, and Martyn’s Law is a chance to get ahead.

“The reason for the act proves that this is no hypothetical risk. Everyday locations must take the possibility of an attack seriously, and (importantly) they need to be encouraged to do so.

“Compliance with Martyn’s Law is an opportunity to enhance resilience and public confidence, an act which sets a new baseline – one which is only the start of our more secure and safe future. It is now up to all of us to act to future-proof security in a practical, intelligent way.”

Learn more about the UK’s Terrorism Act 2025 and Axis solutions for public safety here.

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