SIA issues April update as preparations for Martyn’s Law continue

The Security Industry Authority (SIA) has provided an update on preparations for the implementation of Martyn’s Law, highlighting continuing work on recruitment, regulatory guidance, pilot inspections and the development of a notification portal for premises and events that will fall within the legislation.

The SIA’s August 2026 newsletter said the summer period, traditionally a busy season for many premises and events, provided a timely reminder that Martyn’s Law is intended to improve preparedness and protective security rather than prevent events from taking place.

The regulator said that over the past month it had continued recruiting staff, developing guidance and building the digital notification portal that will allow organisations within the scope of the legislation to notify the SIA.

Pilot inspections and consultation

The SIA is continuing to involve premises and event organisers in its preparations through volunteering, user testing and pilot inspections.

Volunteers have been helping test digital systems, provide feedback on regulatory guidance and participate in pilot inspections. The SIA said further user-testing sessions will take place over the coming months, including opportunities to test prototypes of the notification portal and new regulatory materials and processes.

The regulator said the pilot inspections have also provided an opportunity to test assumptions about matters including the use of templates and the approach to initial assessments.

Ronnie Megaughin, SIA Deputy Director of Inspections and Enforcement, said organisations involved in the pilot programme had been enthusiastic and cooperative. He said the inspections were intended to provide learning opportunities for both the SIA and participating organisations.

The SIA also reported that organisations involved in the initial pilot work had already begun considering what they would need to do before Martyn’s Law comes into force.

Regional inspection teams being developed

Recruitment remains a significant part of the SIA’s preparations for its new regulatory responsibilities.

The organisation is recruiting inspectors and assessors and is developing regional inspection teams across the UK. These teams will operate alongside staff based at the SIA’s new Manchester office and its London office.

The SIA said the regional structure is intended to allow inspectors to respond to urgent risks as well as conduct proactive inspections of qualifying premises and events.

“Reasonably practicable” approach

The newsletter also provides further clarification on two concepts that will be central to compliance: what is “reasonably practicable” and who constitutes the “responsible person”.

The SIA said the purpose of Martyn’s Law is to reduce the vulnerability of premises and events to terrorism and reduce the risk of physical harm if a terrorist act occurs.

Measures considered reasonably practicable will depend on the circumstances. The SIA explained that organisations will need to balance measures that could be implemented against their cost, time and difficulty, taking account of the particular characteristics and resources of the premises or event.

Consequently, the measures that may be reasonably practicable for a large festival could differ significantly from those appropriate for a small community venue.

Responsibility for compliance

The SIA has also sought to clarify who will be regarded as the “responsible person”.

For premises, this will generally be the individual, organisation or company with control of the premises for the purpose for which it falls within the legislation. The SIA says this involves having possession of the premises and the ability to make decisions about its management and use.

Where enhanced-tier premises are operated by an organisation rather than an individual, the organisation will need to appoint a member of staff involved in its management or control to take responsibility for compliance. This person is described as the “senior individual”.

Similar arrangements will apply to qualifying events, with the organisation responsible for the event required to designate a senior individual where appropriate.

Compliance templates to be published

The SIA confirmed that compliance templates are being developed and tested ahead of the legislation coming into force.

Only organisations within the enhanced tier will be required to submit compliance documentation. However, the SIA said it intends to provide templates to assist those organisations with meeting their obligations.

The regulator stressed that the legislation does not allow it to mandate the use of a particular template. Nevertheless, it said feedback from organisations indicates that templates would be useful.

The SIA is testing draft templates through its pilot inspection programme and consulting organisations within the scope of Martyn’s Law, as well as security-sector specialists. The final templates and additional guidance will be published in advance of the legislation coming into force.

The update indicates that the SIA is moving from policy development towards the practical establishment of the regulatory framework that will underpin Martyn’s Law. Recruitment of inspectors, testing of inspection processes, development of the notification system and preparation of compliance materials are all continuing ahead of commencement.

Premises and event organisers are being encouraged to use the statutory guidance and existing ProtectUK resources to establish whether they will fall within the legislation and begin considering what measures may be required.