Martyn's Law Explained: How Kent Event Organisers Can Get Ready (2026 Guide)
If you organise events in Kent, 2026 is a good time to review your security planning.
Martyn’s Law, officially known as the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, is new UK legislation designed to improve how public premises and events prepare for a terrorist attack. It will apply across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, including Kent and the wider South East.
The law is not yet in force. The Government currently expects it to come into force in spring 2027, but the exact date has not yet been confirmed. This means event organisers have time to understand the requirements, review existing arrangements and make sensible improvements.
This guide explains what Martyn’s Law means in practical terms and how event organisers can begin preparing.
Important: This article is general information, not legal advice. Always check the latest official guidance and implementation dates before making decisions about your event.
What is Martyn’s Law?
Martyn’s Law is intended to improve protective security and emergency preparedness at certain public premises and events.
The legislation is named in tribute to Martyn Hett, one of the 22 people killed in the 2017 Manchester Arena attack. It recognises that terrorism is an ongoing risk and that organisations responsible for public spaces should consider how they would respond if an attack happened at, or close to, their premises or event.
The law creates different requirements depending on the size and type of premises or event.
It focuses on practical measures such as:
Evacuation
Invacuation, meaning moving people to a safer place inside the venue or event area
Lockdown
Communication
Monitoring
Managing the movement of people
Physical security
Protecting sensitive information about the site or event
Martyn’s Law does not automatically mean every event must employ a large security team or install expensive equipment. The requirements are based on what is reasonably practicable, taking account of the nature of the event, the risks involved and the resources available.
Which events are likely to be covered?
An event is likely to be in scope if it meets all the relevant criteria. In broad terms, this includes events where:
Members of the public can attend
There is an entry condition, such as a ticket, pass, payment or membership
It is reasonable to expect that 800 or more people, including staff, may be present at the same time
The event takes place at premises that are not already covered as enhanced-tier premises
The event is not specifically excluded under the legislation
This could include larger:
Festivals
Concerts
Sporting events
County shows
Corporate events
Outdoor celebrations
Public performances
Ticketed cultural events
Many events in Kent and the South East could potentially meet these criteria, particularly during the busy summer festival and events season.
The 800-person figure is not necessarily the total number of people attending over the whole day. The question is whether 800 or more people may reasonably be expected to be present at the same time. Staff and other workers may also need to be included in the assessment.
What are the standard and enhanced tiers?
Martyn’s Law uses a tiered approach.
Standard tier
The standard tier generally applies to qualifying premises where between 200 and 799 people may reasonably be expected to be present at the same time.
Standard-tier responsibilities include:
Notifying the Security Industry Authority when the legislation comes into force
Having suitable public protection procedures in place, so far as reasonably practicable
These procedures should cover how staff would respond to an attack or serious security incident. They are likely to include plans for evacuation, invacuation, lockdown and communication.
For event organisers, this means making sure staff understand what to do, who is responsible for making decisions and how clear instructions would be communicated to attendees.
Enhanced tier
Enhanced-tier premises and qualifying events are generally those where 800 or more people may reasonably be expected to be present at the same time.
In addition to the standard-tier requirements, those responsible will need to consider suitable public protection measures to reduce the vulnerability of the premises or event.
This may include measures relating to:
Monitoring the site and its immediate surroundings
Controlling the movement of people into, out of and around the event
Physical security arrangements
The protection of sensitive information about the event
Documenting the procedures and measures that are in place
Assessing how those arrangements reduce risk and vulnerability
Where the responsible person is an organisation rather than an individual, a senior individual will also need to be designated as responsible for ensuring compliance.
The law does not remove responsibility from the event organiser. While security providers and other specialists can support the work, the legal responsibility remains with the relevant responsible person.
What should Kent event organisers do now?
Although the law is not yet enforceable, organisers can use 2026 as a preparation period.
1. Check whether your event is likely to be in scope
Start by reviewing the size, type and layout of your event.
Consider:
Maximum attendance at the busiest times
Expected staff, contractors and performers
Whether entry is controlled by tickets, passes or payment
Whether the event is open to members of the public
Which organisation controls the event site
Whether the venue itself already falls within the enhanced tier
Do not rely only on the total number of tickets sold. Look at how many people may be present at the same time in different areas, including entrances, entertainment spaces, bars, queues and back-of-house areas.
The official Home Office guidance provides further information about scope and attendance calculations.
2. Review your existing event security plan
Your event security plan should already address issues such as crowd management, access control, lost children, medical incidents, fire evacuation and public disorder.
Martyn’s Law is an opportunity to check whether your plan also considers a terrorism-related incident.
Ask practical questions:
How would staff raise the alarm?
Who would make the decision to evacuate or lock down?
Are there alternative evacuation routes?
Could people move away from danger safely?
How would instructions be communicated if mobile networks were busy?
Are emergency services’ access routes kept clear?
Are staff briefings documented?
Do contractors and temporary workers understand their roles?
The purpose is not to create an unnecessarily complex document. It is to make sure your arrangements are realistic, understood and suitable for the event.
3. Consider access control and site security
Good access control is an important part of event security services.
Depending on the event, this may include:
Controlled entrances and exits
Ticket or pass checks
Staff and contractor accreditation
Vehicle access controls
Clear separation between public and restricted areas
Perimeter checks
Search procedures where appropriate and lawful
Monitoring of queues and gathering points
Secure storage of equipment and sensitive information
These measures should be proportionate to the event. A private function, a music festival and a television production will have different layouts, risks and operational requirements.
4. Brief and train your staff
A written plan is only useful if the people working at the event understand it.
Briefings should cover:
How to report suspicious behaviour or items
What to do during an emergency announcement
Evacuation and invacuation procedures
How to respond to changing instructions
Who has authority to make key decisions
How to communicate with supervisors and emergency services
How to support vulnerable attendees
Consider including short scenario-based exercises before the event. These do not need to be complicated. Walking through likely decisions with supervisors and key staff can reveal gaps before the public arrives.
5. Work with experienced security professionals
Professional security support can help organisers turn a general plan into practical arrangements on the ground.
Depending on the event, support may include:
Security risk reviews
Event security planning
Access control
Stewarding and crowd management
Site patrols
Incident response procedures
Communications planning
Security briefings
Liaison with venues, contractors and event control
Askew Security Group is being developed to support clients across Kent, the South East and the wider UK. Founder Alex Paul Askew brings a background in the RAF Regiment, along with experience in commercial security, festivals, Royal Ascot and TV and film production environments.
That experience helps inform a practical approach: understand the site, identify realistic risks, communicate clearly and make sure security arrangements support the event rather than unnecessarily disrupting it.
Security providers can advise and carry out delegated tasks, but they cannot take away the event organiser’s legal responsibilities under Martyn’s Law.
Keep checking the official guidance
The detail around Martyn’s Law is still developing during 2026.
The SIA has been consulting on its regulatory guidance and has stated that final guidance and a consultation report are expected in autumn 2026. The Act itself is currently expected to come into force in spring 2027, but organisers should confirm the exact commencement date through official sources.
Useful resources include:
Preparing now can make compliance easier later
For event organisers, Martyn’s Law should be approached as part of wider event safety and security planning.
The most useful first steps are straightforward:
Understand whether your event may be in scope.
Review your attendance figures and site arrangements.
Check evacuation, invacuation, lockdown and communication procedures.
Review access control, monitoring and crowd management.
Brief staff and contractors.
Keep up to date with official guidance and implementation dates.
Seek appropriate professional advice where you need additional support.
Good preparation can help protect visitors, staff, contractors and the reputation of your event.
If you are planning a festival, private function, corporate event, production or other public gathering in Kent or elsewhere in the UK, contact Askew Security Group on Facebook to discuss your event security requirements. We would be pleased to provide practical event security advice or arrange an initial consultation.
Information in this article is correct to the best of our knowledge on 30 August 2026. Martyn’s Law is not yet in force, and official guidance and implementation dates should be checked for updates.
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