An update from Shaun Hipgrave
An update from Shaun Hipgrave, Director of National Security Protect and Prepare, Homeland Security Group, Home Office.
This week marks one year since Martyn’s Law received Royal Assent. As the Director of National Security Protect and Prepare in the Home Office, I oversee its implementation as part of my responsibilities to help protect people and places from national security threats, and to support victims of terrorism. This anniversary provides an opportunity to reflect on the journey so far and the work now underway.
I’ve been involved in Martyn’s Law since the beginning. My own journey with it started at the Manchester Arena Inquiry, where I gave evidence in 2020 and first met Figen Murray, the campaigner and driving force behind this legislation. Thanks in no small part to Figen’s tireless campaigning, work on what was then known as the ‘Protect Duty’ gathered pace and became the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 – the legislation we now know as Martyn’s Law.
I am proud to have overseen this work from its inception, through Parliament, and now into delivery. We are now firmly into the implementation phase of Martyn’s Law. This will run for at least 24 months from the date of Royal Assent. Our focus during this period is twofold: setting up the new regulator and supporting those responsible for premises and events to understand what the Act means for them and how to prepare for commencement.
Given my wider oversight responsibilities for the Security Industry Authority (SIA), I remain closely engaged with partners across the regime to ensure alignment during implementation. It’s been a genuinely collaborative effort, particularly with the SIA, NaCTSO and NPSA. Together, we’ve worked together to deliver events, webinars, and new products, alongside developing guidance that supports understanding of the legislation.
A major milestone
A major milestone will be the publication of the Home Office’s section 27 guidance shortly this spring, including laying it before Parliament. This guidance is designed to explain the Act’s requirements in a way that works for all and reflects the government’s clear intent that those responsible for premises and events in scope can comply without needing to buy specialist services.
Getting the guidance right mattered, so we took the time to engage properly. Through an Advisory Panel and a wider programme of structured engagement, we tested the clarity and usability of the guidance and shaped it around feedback received.
In total, this included 18 detailed engagement sessions with 122 organisations across sectors in scope of the Act, alongside 17 roundtables held across seven locations in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Around 250 representatives of organisations directly engaged with the draft guidance through these sessions.
Guidance and support
Alongside the statutory guidance, we are continuing to develop a wider package of supporting material to help organisations understand the requirements of the Act and prepare for commencement. This includes short animations, supplementary guidance, infographics and practical leaflets, designed to sit alongside the statutory guidance and support stakeholders throughout the implementation period. We are already publishing material on GOV.UK and ProtectUK, and will continue to build this library as implementation progresses.
We’ve also maintained a strong presence at industry events and conferences to ensure stakeholders are supported in their understanding of the Act. Since Summer 2025, the Home Office, working closely with the SIA, have delivered more than 25 webinars for sectors in scope, reaching over 6,000 participants, with many thousands more reached through industry networks and events. These sessions have focused on what the Act requires, how organisations can prepare, and how the regime will operate in practice.
This has been complemented by continued engagement at major industry events and conferences. Earlier this year, I was pleased to speak alongside Figen Murray and the SIA at the Security and Policing 2026 conference, continuing those important conversations face to face and ensuring stakeholders can engage directly with those delivering the regime. The Home Office will continue to make the most of opportunities to engage those in scope of the legislation.
Good progress is also being made on establishing the regulator through the SIA, with senior leadership now in post and delivery work well underway. The SIA will shortly publish its draft section 12 guidance, which explains how it will exercise its functions as the regulator. This document and a public consultation regarding the SIA’s regulatory approach will be published in the near future.
A significant piece of legislation
Martyn’s Law is a significant piece of legislation. We intend to keep its operation under close review, supported by a robust monitoring and evaluation plan to ensure the Act’s effectiveness and to identify areas where further support may be required.
A year on from Royal Assent, it is an appropriate time to reflect on achievements so far and to thank those across government, industry and the protective security system who continue to engage with us constructively on this work. There is more to do, but together we are taking important steps towards implementing Martyn’s Law and strengthening security culture across the country.
Further resources
We continue to publish new material about the Act on GOV.UK and ProtectUK and to date have published:
• Factsheets on GOV.UK
• One-page leaflet explaining the Act’s scope and requirements
• Myth Buster document addressing misconceptions about the Act and discouraging the use of third-party providers
• Scope infographics for Premises and Events supporting users in determining whether their organisation will be in scope of the Act
• Top Tips document to support users in preparing to comply with the requirements of the Act
• Animation offering a short overview of the scope and requirements of the Act
All material listed above can be found on our Resources page on ProtectUK and you can stay up to date with latest developments on Martyn’s Law here on ProtectUK and GOV.UK websites.
