Martyn’s Law:


A turning point for UK and the Security


or the UK security industry, Martyn’s Law represents not just a challenge but a significant opportunity to reinforce the importance of well-trained personnel and professional security planning.


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Public safety has always been a paramount concern, particularly in an era where threats to crowded spaces are an ever-present reality. Martyn’s Law, a landmark piece of legislation currently making its way through Parliament, seeks to mandate more stringent security measures at public venues.


The Origins and Purpose of Martyn’s Law


Martyn’s Law is named after Martyn Hett, one of the 22 victims of the Manchester Arena terrorist attack in 2017. His mother, Figen Murray, has been the driving force behind the campaign to introduce stronger security obligations for venues and event organisers. The primary aim of the legislation is to ensure that venues, regardless of size, have appropriate counter-terrorism plans in place to protect the public.


The law will impose a tiered approach, with requirements scaled according to venue capacity. Smaller venues will need to conduct basic risk assessments and staff


training, while larger venues will be subject to more rigorous obligations, including detailed security plans and emergency response measures.


As Mike Reddington, Chief Executive of the British Security Industry Association (BSIA), states: “The primary objective of Martyn’s Law is to improve the security and safety of the public who attend venues and events, and the BSIA and its members support this positive step.”


The Current Status in Parliament


Martyn’s Law is progressing through the legislative process, with broad cross-party support reflecting its critical importance.


With the draft bill now under consultation, industry stakeholders are closely monitoring developments. Venue operators, security companies, and technology providers alike are preparing for the law’s imminent arrival by evaluating their security strategies and exploring new ways to ensure compliance.


Implications for Venue Operators


For venue operators, Martyn’s Law introduces new responsibilities that will require careful planning and investment.


Key obligations will include:


• Conducting risk assessments to identify vulnerabilities.


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• Training staff to recognise and respond to security threats.


• Implementing proportionate security measures, from bag checks to surveillance systems.


• Preparing detailed response plans for emergencies.


This shift means that security will no longer be an afterthought but a fundamental part of venue management. As Mario Garcia, Managing Director of Achilleus Security, warns: “Too often, security and stewarding personnel are seen as just ‘boots on the ground’, and far too often we see the marketplace driving the race to the bottom on the cheapest price — at what cost? It’s always going to be at the expense of safety and security, causing poor training, development, and screening – that is something we have always refused to cut corners on.


“Hopefully, [Martyn’s Law] will push security and stewarding to the forefront of event planning and event/venue safety and reinforce the value of highly trained personnel on site”.


Opportunities for the Security Industry


While compliance with Martyn’s Law may initially seem like an additional burden, for professional security companies it presents an unparalleled opportunity to demonstrate their value. Demand for highly


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