When organising and hosting events, the health and safety of attendees should always be a top priority. Venue and event security procedures will undergo radical change this year with the introduction of the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) legislation.
The Bill, more popularly known as Martyn’s Law, aims to enhance attendee safety and preparedness against terrorist threats by introducing new responsibilities for venues and public event spaces across the UK.
As an event technology provider, we recognise the critical role that technology can play in helping planners and venues prepare for Martyn’s Law and enhance their security measures.
- What is Martyn’s Law?
- Who is responsible for implementing the requirements of a finalised Martyn’s Law?
- Understanding the proposed two-tier approach of Martyn’s Law
- How event technology can help prepare for Martyn's Law
What is Martyn’s Law?
Martyn’s Law mandates venues and event organisers to enforce better security in a bid to strengthen the UK against future terror attacks. It is named in memory of Martyn Hett, a victim of the 2017 Manchester Arena attack.
The Bill, introduced to the new Parliament in September 2024, saw its second reading in the House of Lords in January 2025. It was given Royal Assent and written into British law on 3 April.
Technology formed a key part of the Lords debate, particularly around the use of AI and facial recognition to spot suspicious behaviour or known terror suspects.
Martyn’s Law has the potential to evolve how venues and planners use advanced technology as a fundamental part of event design. UK venues need to review their existing technology infrastructures to see if they will meet the new standards.
Who is responsible for implementing the requirements of a finalised Martyn’s Law?
There is currently a heavy amount of responsibility on the premises on which events are being held.
According to the Home Office's Martyn’s Law Factsheet, a responsible person must ensure that the requirements of the Bill are met for either a premises or an event.
- For premises, the “responsible person” is the individual who controls the premises and its use.
- For an event, the “responsible person” is the one who controls the premises where the event takes place.
In both cases, the person who controls the premises is responsible for the actions required under the proposed Bill. However, this does not mean that event planners will not have to play a role in the legislated safety measures. Venues and planners must work together to ensure the safety of event attendees.
Understanding the proposed two-tier approach of Martyn’s Law
While the exact requirements of Martyn’s Law have not yet been finalised, it is anticipated that the law will establish different levels of responsibility based on the size and type of venue.
Specifically, venues with a capacity of over 200 will likely fall into a Standard Tier, while those with a capacity exceeding 800 are likely to be classified under an Enhanced Tier.
Each tier will require a different approach to security and preparedness, with larger venues likely facing more comprehensive and sophisticated obligations.
Standard Tier (over 200-799 capacity)
The focus for smaller event spaces that can hold more than 200 people will likely be on implementing practical and straightforward security measures, proportional to the size and nature of the venue.
These will include:
- Undertaking regular risk assessments, staff training, and information sharing.
- Additionally, they would need to complete a preparedness plan to embed practices such as locking doors to delay an attacker's progress and training staff on lifesaving treatments that can be administered while awaiting emergency services.
Under the Standard Tier, the responsible person must:
- Notify the regulator about the premises.
- Implement public protection procedures to reduce the risk of harm in case of a terrorist attack (e.g., evacuation, lockdown).
Enhanced Tier (over 800 capacity)
Larger venues, such as stadiums, large theatres, concert halls, and transport hubs with a capacity of over 800 people, are expected to have more comprehensive and sophisticated security obligations.
These venues will likely need to implement advanced security measures, such as:
- Detailed risk assessments
- Extensive CCTV networks
- Controlled access points and coordinated emergency response plans
Given the higher potential risk associated with larger venues, the requirements for this tier will be more rigorous, involving ongoing monitoring, regular drills, and close coordination with local emergency services.
The responsible person must:
- Notify the regulator about the premises and/or events that are due to take place.
- Implement public protection measures to reduce vulnerability and risk of harm.
- Document these procedures and measures and provide them to the regulator.
If the responsible person is an organisation, a senior individual must be appointed to ensure compliance.
How event technology can help with Martyn's Law
Here are some ways you can use technology to prepare for requirements under Martyn’s Law:
1. Preventing unauthorised access
- Secure check-in process: Using technology like Cvent OnArrival or QR codes can ensure that only registered attendees access the venue or a particular session, mitigating the risk of unauthorised individuals gaining entry.
- Real-time onsite monitoring: Event technology can provide real-time updates on who is onsite, enabling security teams to monitor attendance and identify any discrepancies immediately.
2. Efficient communication systems
- In-app messaging: Attendees can use event apps to communicate directly with organisers, allowing for quick reporting of any concerns or suspicious activities.
- Public protection procedures: Share contact information for the venue’s ‘responsible person’, emergency services, and evacuation procedures.
- Online notifications: Security teams can receive instant notifications about any issues, ensuring they have all the necessary information to make informed decisions swiftly.
- Know-before-you-go emails: A pre-event email campaign can prepare attendees for any additional security checks that may be required and communicate any prohibited items.
3. Emergency plans and response
- Digital access to emergency plans: Event organisers can store emergency plans, including evacuation procedures, within the event app, making them easily accessible to all staff.
- Real-time alerts: Security software on tablets or smartphones allows staff to notify and escalate incidents in real-time, giving security teams a complete overview of the situation as it unfolds.
- Task allocation: Use a central platform such as Cvent to allocate project management tasks to internal staff.
4. Comprehensive data management
- Incident logging: All data related to security incidents can be logged and stored in one place, providing an accurate record for future analysis.
- Data-driven insights: By analysing past incidents, security personnel can develop improved response strategies, enhancing the overall safety of future events.
- Add security details to registration forms: Where relevant, ask registrants for details such as passport numbers or emergency content numbers.
5. Crowd control measures
- Check-in monitoring: Technologies like Cvent OnArrival help manage and control crowd sizes by providing instant data on the number of attendees checked in.
- Movement tracking: Real-time data on attendee movements within the venue can prevent overcrowding and ensure smooth crowd management.
Let’s work together for a safer future
With Martyn’s Law now enshrined in UK legislation, venues must review their security practices, enhance their preparedness for emergencies, and ultimately, provide a safer environment for people to meet.
Begin by developing a security framework, preparing better risk assessments, engaging with experts, anticipating physical security measures, reviewing technology requirements, and staying informed.
