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On 2 May 2023, Martyn’s Law moved another step closer. The draft legislation, formerly known as The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill, was published by the Home Office. The draft Bill sets out what venues and other organisations would have to do to keep the public safe. It will apply across the UK and follows a campaign from Figen Murray, the mother of Martyn Hett, who sadly lost his life in the Manchester Arena terrorist attack in May 2017.
The draft Bill will follow a tiered model based on the size of the venue and the activity taking place.
An inspection and enforcement regime will be established to promote the requirements for each tier. Non-compliance could result in sanctions and ultimately penalties for premises.
The standard tier applies to smaller venues with a
capacity of 200-799. They are required to:
Notification: Notify the regulator that they are, or have become, responsible for premises within the scope of the Bill.
Responsible Person: Ensure that a Responsible Person is appointed to manage compliance with
the legislation.
Threat Assessment: Consider the terrorism threat and relevant attack methodologies.
Public Protection Procedures: Implement simple, low-cost procedures to respond to a terrorist attack, such as evacuation, invacuation, locking down, and communication.
Focus: Training, information sharing, and preparedness plans.
The enhanced tier applies to public premises and events with maximum capacities of 800 or more. Larger venues are required to:
Public Protection Measures: Implement, so far as reasonably practicable, appropriate public protection measures to reduce vulnerability and the risk of harm.
Examples: Monitoring premises and their immediate vicinity.
Documentation: Document public protection procedures and measures, including an assessment of how they reduce vulnerability and/or the risk of harm, and provide this document to the SIA.
Designated Responsibility: Where not an individual, designate a senior individual responsible for ensuring compliance with the Act.
Focus: Risk assessments, security
The draft Bill has gone through various stages and is now approved by government, as of April 2025. There is now a 24-month compliance timeframe.
As highlighted by British Retail Consortium Assistant Director, Graham Wynn, Martyn’s Law is particularly relevant to the industry given the large number of retail premises across the UK. Although many of the operational details are yet to be finalised, organisations are being advised to prepare now by familiarising themselves with the requirements. Specialist advice on evaluating and managing terrorism risks is also provided by ProtectUK.
Martyn’s Law has brought public safety into sharp focus, reinforcing the need for shopping centre managers and owners to review their existing security plans and processes.
Having worked with more than 2000 shopping centres globally, there are common gaps in security practices which could have a detrimental impact on communication and reporting in an emergency. Addressing these now will help retail organisations be more prepared for a crisis and ready to respond.
Ineffective reporting and communication can have a significant impact on security in shopping centres. Too often, manual systems are in place, risking inefficiency and inaccuracy. Paper-based reporting is not only time consuming but prone to error. Critical information, which must be distributed to numerous stakeholders, can take too long.
A lack of training on reporting incident reporting protocols can lead to confusion and delay in an emergency. Crucial reports may be completed incorrectly or inconsistently. Insufficient knowledge on how to recognise suspicious
Without accurate data, shopping centres are unable to analyse trends, vulnerabilities or other patterns which could improve their security strategies. Information relating to an emergency such as response times, engagement with critical messages, and how quickly situations were resolved fails to be effectively documented.
The need for clear and instant communication is paramount in a crisis, yet many shopping centres have ineffective channels in place. Multiple platforms are often in use along with manual methods which hinder the flow and speed of crucial information relating to security incidents. Communication processes are also hampered by hard-to-find lists of key stakeholders.
Between Teams Ineffective security operations are exacerbated by a lack of coordination among security personnel, management, and retailers. This risks essential information, such as known threats or suspicious activity, not being shared properly, which could delay or even prevent a response to security problems.
New technology will play a vital role in addressing these issues and creating a safer environment for visitors, tenants and employees. The Kinexio digital platform centralises critical information, communication and data, streamlining security processes. Tailored to the individual needs of a retail centre, the technology ensures shopping centre owners and managers can:
Safety and security policies are stored in one simple, easy to use place, ensuring tenants and staff can quickly access all the information they need with a tap of a button. Details of key keyholders and emergency contacts are also centralised to help prevent delays. Message templates for an emergency can be created ahead of time and are ready to distribute within seconds.
In an emergency, Kinexio enables teams to send live updates to users, ensuring a seamless response. Emergency messages can be triggered and sent instantly via email, push notification, texts and calls. Real time messaging means all stakeholders can be kept in touch and updated on the situation, helping to keep people calm and in control.
Data can be easily accessed, and real time reports created to establish how quickly situations were resolved. Trends can be identified over time and pertinent information stored such as photos and eyewitness details in case further action is needed.
FAQ
Martyn’s Law is a proposed UK legislation requiring public venues to improve security against terrorist threats. It mandates risk assessments, staff training, and emergency preparedness. Kinexio can help by providing a real-time communication and incident management platform, ensuring swift information sharing among stakeholders. Its instant alerts, document storage, and compliance tracking support proactive security measures, keeping venue operators, tenants, and security teams connected and prepared to respond effectively in emergencies.
Martyn’s Law applies to UK venues with a capacity of 200+ people, including shopping centers, office buildings, transport hubs, stadiums, and entertainment venues. It mandates security measures like risk assessments and emergency planning. Kinexio supports compliance by enabling seamless communication between stakeholders, delivering real-time alerts, and providing secure document storage for security protocols. Its incident management features help venue operators, tenants, and security teams stay informed and prepared for potential threats.
