The Protect Duty - Martyn's Law
Martyn's Law, which is formally known as the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 became law on 3 April 2025, with legal enforcement of its duties expected to commence around April 2027 following a 24 month implementation period. The new duty requires premises to take steps to improve public safety based on size and activity, ensuring consistent security preparedness across the UK against the complex and evolving terrorist threat.
Protect Duty process
Standard Tier applies to publicly accessible premises with a capacity of 200 to 799 individuals. The legal focus is on establishing and maintaining written Public Protection Procedures for staff response in the event of an attack. These procedures must include protocols for Evacuation, Invacuation, Lockdown, and communication with the public, which the Responsible Person must implement "so far as is reasonably practicable" and notify the Regulator about.
Enhanced Tier covers premises with 800 or more individuals. This tier must satisfy all Standard Tier duties and implement Public Protection Measures. These proactive security measures include physical safety, monitoring, controlling the movement of individuals, and procedures to secure sensitive information. Compliance is overseen by a Designated Senior Individual (DSI) and detailed within a comprehensive Security Plan to mitigate the premises' risk of attack.
Shield Associates menu of options
Our staff are members of the Security Institute, NEBOSH accredited and have extensive experience in managing critical incidents and providing expert security consultancy to a wide range of commercial, public and voluntary sector clients.
- Review of existing security provision and security plans.
- In the absence of any security plan, design and implement an effective response.
- Create a risk assessment tool that operates within the framework of The Protect Duty.
- Provide counter terrorism training within the framework of The Protect Duty.
- Provide guidance and practical support in ‘lockdown’ procedures.
- Design and deliver critical incident training with tabletop exercises.
- Provide training in security awareness to build an effective security culture within organisations.
- Provide wrap-around and supportive security consultancy.
