Statement from the Security Industry Authority (SIA) Chief Executive, Michelle Russell, marking one year since Royal Assent of Martyn’s Law.
One year ago today, the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 known as Martyn’s Law received Royal Assent, marking a historic step forward in UK public safety, for the first time recognising the role premises and events have in deterring and responding to acts of terrorism.
We pay tribute to Figen Murray OBE for her tireless and inspirational campaigning to make Martyn’s Law happen. Martyn’s Law will build better and more consistent standards of preparedness and protective security at premises and events the public visit across the UK.
The SIA has been entrusted with being the new Martyn’s Law regulator, a responsibility we are taking very seriously and are committed to doing well. We will not forget how it came about and why it matters as we carry out our role. We will always have all those affected by terrorist attacks in our minds.
Over the past year we have worked closely with the Home Office and other partners on the preparatory foundations we needed to be in place before we are able to create a regulatory function that is credible and effective. We will be a regulator that is supportive and proportionate, but also not afraid to enforce where necessary.
The year ahead will see the SIA escalate its presence as we issue our statutory guidance, build a dedicated online notification portal that premises and events will use, and recruit the teams who will work on Martyn’s Law under the leadership of Laura Gibb, our Executive Director for Martyn’s Law. We look forward to engaging further with the premises, venues and events community as we move towards the commencement of this Act.
Our shared goal is to ensure that public venues, premises and events across the UK are safer places for everyone and those in charge of them know and discharge their obligations. We are fully committed to ensuring that Martyn’s Law does what it was intended to do and creates a lasting legacy.
