This page offers an overview of the responsibilities of four key partners working together as part of the UK protective security system to ensure that premises and events both in and out of scope of the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, commonly known as Martyn’s Law, are protected and better prepared in the event of a terrorist attack.
Roles and responsibilities
The Home Office sets the strategy for the protective security system, develops policy and delivers legislation. It developed the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 and produced and published of the section 27 statutory guidance, to help those in scope to understand and meet the requirements of the legislation. The Home Office will also monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the legislation once it comes into force.
Alongside the legislative approach, wider Home Office Protective Security policy takes a non-legislative and voluntary approach towards positively influencing venues and public spaces around Counter Terrorism (CT) protective security provisions. This is done through activity and engagement across sectors, groups, site specific work and the local approach (local authorities and communities). This is supported by CTP and NPSA who provide specialist expertise to stakeholders, including access to the advice, training and guidance to ensure the protection of their organisation, their staff and the wider public.
The Security Industry Authority's (SIA) remit is expanding beyond licencing individuals to regulating compliance with the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, known as Martyn's Law. The SIA will help those responsible for qualifying premises and qualifying events to understand and meet their legal obligations. The SIA will assess compliance, identify non-compliance, and take proportionate steps to bring premises and events into compliance where required.
Counter Terrorism Policing’s (CTP) role is to help organisations understand terrorist threats and strengthen their ability to prepare for and protect against them. We do this by providing official counter terrorism protective security and preparedness advice and guidance.
CTP supports organisations of all sizes and sectors to enhance their security and preparedness, regardless of whether they are in or out of scope of the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, known as Martyn's Law.
Responsibility for regulating and enforcing Martyn’s Law will sit with the Security Industry Authority (SIA), working alongside the Home Office. CTP will not inspect organisations, assess compliance, enforce the legislation, or advise organisations on whether they have met their legal obligations under Martyn’s Law.
As the UK’s National Technical Authority for physical and personnel protective security, the National Protective Security Authority (NPSA) develops and publishes protective security guidance for a wide range of users. This includes guidance intended to help those responsible for security at public premises and events understand threat and risk, and identify and implement effective security mitigations, including response planning.