Martyn's Law and Lockdown Systems
Discover what it could mean for your premises
What is Martyn’s Law?
Officially known as the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, Martyn’s Law is new UK legislation designed to improve public safety by ensuring that venues and organisations are better prepared for potential terrorist incidents. The law was created in memory of Martyn Hett, who was tragically killed in the 2017 Manchester Arena attack.
Under the law, the responsible person (or whoever has been appointed responsible) for certain publicly accessible premises and events must implement proportionate security measures to reduce risks and improve emergency response.
These new duties apply across many different sectors. From the hospitality and entertainment industry to retail, education and places of worship, Martyn’s Law now introduces stricter security measures businesses must follow to show compliance. However, businesses aren’t alone. OHEAP Fire & Security offer NSI-Gold accredited security systems designed to comply with and protect Martyn’s Law.
Which tier will apply to
your premises?
Martyn's law has different requirements for venues and environments based on capacity and size. Discover which tier and requirements apply to you.
Tier One: Standard Tier
Public Accessible Premises with 200-799 People Present
A common misconception is that Martyn’s Law only applies to large venues. However, this isn’t the case. The legislation is designed to ensure that all venues, regardless of size, have appropriate security systems and procedures in place to keep people safe. This includes; schools, museums, art galleries, conference centres, places of worship and libraries.
Every building and organisation is different. That’s why our security solutions are tailored to your business’s security and compliance needs. Our security experts have developed a range of security systems designed to help tier one businesses meet their legal obligations and strengthen their overall safety strategy. Explore our NSI-Gold solutions below to see how we can support your Martyn’s Law compliance and enhance your venue’s protection.
Access Control Systems
For smaller venues, access controls such as key cards, tokens and barriers can be a powerful way to monitor and control who has access to what. Through proper configuration and risk assessment, access controls can also assist with evacuation and evacuation plans.
At OHEAP Fire & Security, our NSI Gold–accredited access control solutions align with the standard tier of Martyn’s Law by helping you:
- Lock external doors quickly to prevent entry by an attacker
- Secure internal zones so staff and visitors can shelter in safe areas
- Control access remotely, ensuring only authorised personnel can move between protected zones
- Integrate seamlessly with lockdown and alarm systems to activate secure protocols instantly
CCTV Security Systems
At OHEAP Fire & Security, our CCTV solutions help you meet Martyn’s Law requirements by providing continuous monitoring, early detection, and recorded evidence of any suspicious or dangerous behaviour. Strategically placed cameras can cover vulnerable entry points, crowd areas, or blind spots, giving your team real-time visibility and confidence in your site’s security.
Our CCTV security systems can also be enhanced with:
- Infra-red night vision for 24/7 protection
- Audio recording for improved incident verification
- Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) to monitor and record vehicle movements on or around your premises.
Intruder Alarm Security Systems
Security breaches can happen anytime. With strategic installation and motion sensors, your intruder alarms can provide comprehensive security for tier one venues under Martyn’s Law.
Intruder alarms can also link directly with:
- Access control systems for coordinated lockdowns
- Lockdown alarms to rapidly alert the building to danger
- CCTV for automatic camera activation or focus on triggered zones
Need help with Martyn's Law?
Our security system experts have been designing, installing, servicing and monitoring lockdown systems for many years, so if you've got a question about your specific environment and Martyn's Law, we can help.
Tier Two: Enhanced Tier
Public Acessible Premises with 800+ People Present
The unfortunate reality is that larger, tier two venues are more susceptible to terrorist attacks. With constant footfall and crowded spaces, it’s easier for intruders to blend in and for suspicious activity to go unnoticed. That’s why it’s essential for businesses aiming to comply with Martyn’s Law to invest in advanced technology that delivers controlled, protective measures.
While Tier One focuses on building a strong security foundation, Tier Two takes protection to the next level. Core systems such as CCTV, access controls and intruder alarms remain vital. However, now is the time to upgrade. Explore our NSI Gold-certified solutions below to see how we can help your venue meet Martyn’s Law requirements and strengthen protection for staff and visitors.
Lockdown Alarms
Lockdown Alarms provide fast, reliable alerts to notify everyone in a building that a lockdown is underway. In an emergency, such as a terrorist threat, rapid communication saves lives. Our systems make that possible.
- Instant alerts to staff phones during lockdowns or low-battery warnings
- Custom voice messages tailored to your premises
- Standalone or integrated setup with existing fire alarm systems
AI-Powered CCTV
AI-enhanced CCTV is incredibly effective for achieving smarter, more tactical security. Rather than the traditional video recording of CCTV, AI-Powered CCTV can provide businesses with real-time threat detection, behavioural analysis and intelligent incident management.
AI-driven analytics can automatically identify:
- Unattended bags or suspicious packages
- Loitering or crowd build-up in restricted zones
- Aggressive or erratic movement patterns
- Reduces false alarms and constant manual monitoring
Biometric Access Controls
Biometric access controls are an advanced security solution that provides precise and reliable protection for your tier two premises. Instead of relying on traditional tokens, key cards, or codes (which can be lost, copied, or stolen), biometrics use an individual’s unique physical traits to grant access.
Whether through fingerprint scanning, facial recognition, or other biometric identifiers, businesses can ensure only authorised personnel can enter secure areas. This approach ultimately reduces the risk of unauthorised access and highlights a tier two venue’s Martyn’s Law compliance.
Martyn’s Law FAQs
When does Martyn's Law come into force?
The Act received Royal Assent in April 2025. However, there will be a transition period (expected around 24 months) that allows businesses to prepare before enforcement begins.
Who enforces Martyn's Law?
The SIA (Security Industry Authority) will enforce Martyn’s Law.
Overtime as the SIA roll out further guidelines for Martyn’s Law, businesses are expected to respond with maintaining compliance. Failure to do so could end up costing businesses thousands.
Sound scary? Luckily, OHEAP Fire & Security’s team of security experts are always available to offer industry insights or advice on Martyn’s Law compliance.
What do businesses have to do to comply?
Martyn’s Law is still currently being introduced by the UK Government. While it has not yet come into full effect, businesses should begin taking precautionary steps to align with its expected requirements.
Although there are no legally binding rules in place yet, our security experts recommend that businesses:
Notify the regulator (SIA) of relevant security activities.
Conduct a terrorism risk assessment to identify potential vulnerabilities.
Implement proactive security measures, such as servicing security equipment and updating fire risk assessments.
Maintain detailed records of all actions and reviews.
It’s also worth noting that Enhanced Tier premises will be expected to have more detailed security plans and undergo regular audits once the law is fully implemented.
What happens if businesses fail to comply with Martyn's Law?
Businessess that fail to comply with Martyn’s Law may receive fines (up to £10,000 for Standard Tier and up to £18 million or 5% of global turnover for Enhanced Tier).
Who does the Standard Tier apply to?
The Standard Tier of Martyn’s Law applies to publically accessible venues capable of holding between 200-799 people.
Who does the Enhanced Tier apply to?
The Enhanced Tier of Martyn’s Law applies to publically accessible venues capable of holding 800+ people.
What steps should businesses take to comply?
Complying with Martyn’s Law doesn’t have to be daunting. Here’s the practical steps our security experts recommend businesses to take:
Determine whether your premises or events meet the capacity thresholds and therefore fall in scope.
Nominate a responsible lead and notify the regulator if required.
Conduct a simple risk assessment focused on likely scenarios and identify low-cost, high-impact mitigations (for example, evacuation routes, locking procedures, staff briefings).
Update or document an incident plan and schedule basic staff training.
Keep records of decisions and actions, and contact your insurer and local policing Protect/CT advisors for tailored advice.
OHEAP Fire and Security at a Glance
At OHEAP Fire and Security, we designing, installing and maintaining security systems to the highest standard. We are at the forefront of helping businesses and venues to comply with Martyn’s Law. Our expert engineers work with you to craft security solutions based on your budget, time frame and security needs. We offer tailor-made CCTV, intruder alarms, access controls and lockdown alarms systems, designed, installed and maintained to suit you. It all starts with a free site surveys to assess your building for security blind spots and unique areas of potential risk. Once your security system is installed, our regular servicing will ensure your systems provide total protection and maximum compliance with Martyn's Law. And all of this is quality assured with our NSI Gold accreditation.
Contact our Experts Today
Martyn's law might seem daunting, but we;ve got you covered. Contact us today to discuss your specific environment.