Martyn’s Law: What It Means for Public Venues and How dormakaba Can Help You Stay Compliant
On May 22, 2017, a tragic event unfolded at the Manchester Arena when an improvised explosive device was detonated in the foyer as thousands of people left a pop concert. The attack killed 22 people and left hundreds more injured, profoundly shaking the nation. The subsequent public inquiry revealed systemic vulnerabilities in security preparedness and called for significant changes to protect public spaces against such threats in the future.
In response to this devastating event, Martyn's Law, formally known as the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, was introduced. Named in memory of one of the victims, Martyn Hett, this legislation aims to ensure that venues and public spaces across the UK take proactive, proportionate measures to enhance their preparedness and security.
While the law is a step forward in safeguarding the public, it brings new challenges, particularly for venue operators and those involved in the built environment.
This article explores the background of Martyn's Law, the obligations it places on venues, its impact on the architectural ironmongery sector, and how dormakaba can support you in staying compliant as the legislation comes into force.
Why Was Martyn’s Law Introduced?
The Manchester Arena bombing highlighted the gaps in security that existed in many public venues. While some buildings had robust security protocols, others were ill-prepared to handle a terrorist incident. Martyn’s mother, Figen Murray, played a key role in pushing for legislative changes, arguing that security measures in many venues were insufficient to prevent such attacks or mitigate their impact.
Martyn’s Law focuses on embedding a culture of security within public venues. Its core principle is proportionality, requiring venues to implement measures that are appropriate for their size, function, and level of risk. By doing so, the law seeks to prevent future tragedies and ensure that buildings can both deter potential attacks and respond effectively in the event of one.
Buildings and Venues Impacted by Martyn’s Law
Martyn’s Law applies to a broad range of publicly accessible buildings and venues, categorised by size and function, with specific requirements for each. Key sectors affected include:
Entertainment and Leisure: Theatres, cinemas, concert halls, nightclubs, stadiums, and large venues.
Retail and Hospitality: Shopping centres, large retail stores, pubs, bars, restaurants, and hotels.
Public Buildings: Libraries, community centres, town halls, and places of worship.
Education: Schools, colleges, and universities.
Transport and Health: Hospitals, train stations, and airports.
Outdoor Events: Festivals and events with controlled access.
The law establishes two primary tiers:
Standard Tier (200–799 capacity): Focused on practical measures such as locked doors, closed shutters, and clear evacuation routes.
Enhanced Tier (800+ capacity): Requires comprehensive risk assessments, stronger security controls, and regular compliance checks.
Across both tiers, the goal is to balance security with accessibility, ensuring that safety measures never impede evacuation or venue functionality.
When Will Martyn’s Law Take Effect?
Martyn’s Law received Royal Assent in April 2025, but it will not take full effect immediately. An implementation period of at least 24 months has been provided, allowing venue operators and the wider security industry to prepare.
This means the law is expected to come into full effect in April 2027. During this transition period, venues will need to review, plan, and adapt their security arrangements to meet new standards under the oversight of the Security Industry Authority (SIA).
Implications for the Security Industry
Martyn’s Law represents a major shift in how public venues approach safety and threat preparedness. For architectural ironmongers and security professionals, it brings both new responsibilities and opportunities. The law increases demand for compliant, high-performing products and solutions that meet security, fire safety, and accessibility requirements. The key areas of focus include:
Security Product Compliance: Ensuring locks, panic hardware, and access control systems meet required standards.
Third-Party Certification: Products must be tested, traceable, and demonstrably compliant with relevant safety and security benchmarks.
Training and Advisory: Security professionals must educate clients on compliance strategies and operational resilience under Martyn’s Law.
How dormakaba Can Help You Stay Compliant
At dormakaba, we understand the complexities surrounding Martyn’s Law and are committed to providing innovative, compliant solutions to help public venues enhance their security.
1. Comprehensive Security Solutions
We offer a wide range of products designed to meet the security needs of venues impacted by Martyn’s Law. All our solutions are tested to the highest standards, including BS EN 1125 (panic escape), BS EN 179 (emergency escape), and BS EN 13637 (electrically controlled exit systems).
From access control and electronic locking systems to panic bars and secure entry points, dormakaba ensures that every product meets the highest standards of safety, security, and accessibility.
2. Expertise in Compliance
Navigating Martyn’s Law can be complex, but dormakaba’s experts provide tailored guidance for venue operators, architects, and security consultants. We help implement compliant security measures that maintain balance between life safety, fire safety, and accessibility, ensuring that every venue remains both secure and functional.
3. Retrofits for Existing Buildings
Many affected venues are existing structures that require upgrades rather than rebuilds. dormakaba specialises in retrofit solutions that integrate seamlessly into older buildings, such as upgrading mechanical locks to electronic access systems, installing controlled exit devices, and enhancing evacuation flow without compromising design or structure integrity.
4. Training and Operational Preparedness
Security hardware is only effective when supported by operational readiness. dormakaba offers training programmes that ensure staff understand how to operate systems during an emergency and maintain compliance through regular checks and drills.
5. Third-Party Certification and Documentation
Compliance under Martyn’s Law will demand traceability and certification. dormakaba products come with the necessary testing documentation and third-party certifications, ensuring your venue is ready for inspection and fully compliant with national and international standards.
Integrating Solutions to Ensure Safety
To tackle the broader challenges of compliance and preparedness, dormakaba supports the use of integrated physical security software, connecting access control, time management, and emergency response systems into one cohesive platform.
Increased visibility is key to monitoring distributed security teams who may encounter threats. Using NFC tags, QR codes, or Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology, supervisors can track personnel location in real time and verify safety.
dormakaba’s Time and Attendance terminals validate that authorised security officers are present on-site and accurately record their working hours. Access control systems confirm who is in the building, while turnstiles integrated with dormakaba’s SafeRoute solution automatically open during alarms to enable fast, controlled evacuation.
This integration extends to proof of service, giving venues documented evidence that their security operations meet governmental and contractual standards, recording processes, timelines, and equipment usage. This documentation supports liability management and identifies areas for future improvement.
For organisations responsible for recruiting skilled security personnel, industry-specific hiring software can streamline the process, improving candidate screening, reducing turnover, and ensuring that only qualified officers are deployed to high-risk environments.
Additionally, muster point solutions such as Poksundo can help automatically count and verify staff presence during an emergency, enhancing overall safety management and evacuation efficiency.
Conclusion
Martyn’s Law marks a pivotal step toward safer, more resilient public spaces across the UK. While it introduces new compliance responsibilities, it also opens opportunities for innovation and collaboration within the security and architectural sectors.
dormakaba stands ready to help venues navigate these requirements, offering integrated, compliant, and future-ready security solutions. From risk assessments and product integration to training and certification, we’re your trusted partner in creating safer spaces for everyone.
By preparing now, your venue can not only meet legislative standards but also demonstrate a genuine commitment to public safety and operational excellence.