An Expert View from Russell Dean, Director of Operations, Bidvest Noonan
As the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 – commonly known as Martyn’s Law moves closer to implementation, facilities management and security companies are preparing for its impact.
The legislation represents a fundamental shift in how we approach public safety and facilities management companies must be at the forefront of that change.
At Bidvest Noonan, we aim to support clients in strengthening existing security arrangements and preparing for future requirements in a proportionate way.
Current status of implementation
The actual date is not yet known, but Martyn’s Law is expected to come into force in 2027. The Home Office is developing detailed statutory guidance, expected in Summer 2026. The legislation introduces a tiered approach: the Standard Tier applies to premises with a capacity of 200 – 799 people, while the Enhanced Tier covers venues accommodating 800 or more. Those responsible for qualifying premises – including retail spaces, educational institutions, and healthcare facilities – are expected to implement proportionate preparedness measures. Specific requirements will be confirmed once Home Office guidance is published.
Essential preparations
Organisations may wish to review existing risk assessments and preparedness processes while awaiting formal statutory guidance. This means identifying vulnerabilities across a range of plausible attack methods in line with proportionate, risk-based planning – from known threats such as Vehicle as a Weapon (VAW) attacks to new methods that may emerge in the future.
Equally important is building a culture where staff feel confident recognising concerns, escalating early, and understanding their role in wider preparedness. Culture and behaviour are repeatedly highlighted as more critical than equipment in major incident reviews.
Training is therefore paramount. The “Platinum 10 Minutes” is existing emergency response best practice (rather than specific to Home Office Martyn’s Law documentation) but it’s pertinent in this context. It’s that critical window immediately following an incident, and it can mean the difference between life and death. Security and operational teams benefit from practical, scenario-based training that reinforces clear communication and swift escalation. Terror incidents unfold in seconds, not minutes, demanding immediate, decisive action.
Standard Tier premises are anticipated to focus on core preparedness measures, such as staff awareness and emergency procedures, pending final guidance. Enhanced Tier venues are likely to have additional responsibilities, expected to include more formal planning and record keeping, subject to Home Office guidance.
Available resources
ProtectUK offers sector-specific advice, while organisations can access specialist training programmes designed to align with the new legislative framework.
At Bidvest Noonan, we’ve developed a Protective Security Training Programme in-house, incorporating live simulations in real environments, ensuring our teams can deliver the rapid, coordinated responses that Martyn’s Law may demand. Future training modules will expand to cover bladed-weapon attacks, hostile intruder events, and suspicious-package protocols, providing a comprehensive approach to threat readiness.