What Is Martyn’s Law? (Updated for Mosques & Public Spaces)

Martyn’s Law — formally the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 — is new UK legislation designed to ensure that public venues, events, and community spaces are better prepared for the threat of terrorism.

Named in memory of Martyn Hett, one of the victims of the Manchester Arena attack, the law introduces a clear, proportionate duty for organisations to strengthen their protective‑security and emergency‑response arrangements.

The Act received Royal Assent on 3 April 2025 and will come into force following a national implementation period of at least 24 months.

Why Martyn’s Law Matters for Places of Worship & Public Spaces

Places of worship and community venues are unique environments:

• They are open, welcoming, and accessible, often by design.
• They host large gatherings at predictable times (Friday prayers, Sunday services, festivals, weddings, funerals).
• They frequently rely on volunteers, not professional security teams.
• They are increasingly targeted by hate‑motivated threats, online hostility, and community tensions.

Martyn’s Law recognises these realities and ensures that faith institutions and public‑facing community spaces have practical, proportionate measures in place to protect congregants, visitors, and staff.

What the Law Requires

Martyn’s Law introduces a tiered duty based on the capacity of a venue or event.

1. Standard Duty (200–800 capacity)

Most places of worship fall into this category. Requirements include:

• Evacuation and lockdown plans tailored to terrorism scenarios
• Clear communication procedures for staff and volunteers
• Basic protective‑security awareness training
• Incident response arrangements beyond standard fire safety

These measures are intentionally low‑cost and focused on preparedness, not physical infrastructure.

2. Enhanced Duty (800+ capacity)

Larger mosques, churches, temples, gurdwaras, synagogues, and major community centres may fall under the Enhanced Duty. Requirements include:

• Formal terrorism risk assessments
• Physical and operational security measures (CCTV, access control, barriers, patrols)
• Monitoring of the site and its immediate vicinity
• Documented security policies and duty‑holder responsibilities

Enhanced Duty venues must demonstrate a more structured and evidence‑based approach to security.

Faith Associates: Supporting Mosques, Islamic Centres & Muslim Community Venues With Martyn’s Law

Faith Associates (www.faithassociates.co.uk is the UK’s leading specialist in protective security, safeguarding, and resilience for Muslim institutions and public‑facing community spaces.

For over 20 years, we have supported mosques, churches, synagogues, temples, gurdwaras, and multi‑faith centres across the UK and Europe — making us uniquely positioned to help organisations prepare for Martyn’s Law.

Our Martyn’s Law Support Services

Security Risk Assessments

• Full assessments aligned with Standard and Enhanced Duty requirements, tailored to the layout, culture, and operational patterns of faith settings.

Protective Security Planning

• Creation of evacuation, invacuation, and lockdown plans that reflect the realities of prayer times, festivals, and high‑footfall events.

Volunteer & Staff Training

• Terrorism awareness, behavioural detection, emergency response, and communication training designed for non‑security professionals.

Tabletop Exercises & Scenario Drills

• Practical simulations to test decision‑making and coordination during high‑pressure incidents.

Physical Security Guidance

• Proportionate recommendations on CCTV, access control, perimeter protection, and visitor‑flow management.

Policy & Documentation Support

• Duty‑holder documentation, security policies, and compliance evidence packs.

Community Engagement & Faith‑Sensitive Advisory

• Ensuring security measures are culturally appropriate, inclusive, and aligned with safeguarding principles.

Online Harms & Digital Threat Support

• Guidance on managing online hostility, misinformation, and digital threats linked to community tensions.