SIA outlines progress towards Martyn’s Law regulation

Michelle Russell, Chief Executive of the Security Industry Authority, has provided a detailed update on preparations for the SIA’s new role as regulator of Martyn’s Law, following the legislation’s Royal Assent earlier this year.

Martyn’s Law – formally the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 – received Royal Assent on 3 April 2025. Parliament confirmed the SIA as the regulator, with commencement expected in Spring 2027 once statutory instruments are laid.

Since April, the SIA has been working “at pace” to prepare for go-live. Key steps include:

• Securing separate grant funding from the Home Office to cover Martyn’s Law work, ensuring costs are not borne by existing licence holders.
• Recruiting a new executive director to lead the programme, due to start in January 2026, with campaigner Figen Murray involved in the recruitment process.
• Designing a new organisational structure, including over 100 operational posts dedicated to Martyn’s Law. These will cover guidance, notifications, compliance casework, inspections, and enforcement. Inspectors will be regionally based, with office roles centred in a new Manchester hub.

The SIA is now:

• Drafting section 12 guidance on investigatory powers, to be consulted on once the Home Office publishes its statutory guidance in 2026.
• Developing a risk framework and new regulatory model to ensure consistent decision-making.
• Building and testing digital casework systems to support compliance monitoring and enforcement.
• Planning joint awareness events with the Home Office to prepare venues and events for the law’s requirements.

Advisory-first approach

Russell emphasised that the SIA’s role will initially be advisory, giving venues and events the chance to get compliance right. Around 155,000 standard tier premises and 25,000 enhanced tier premises are expected to fall within scope.

The regulator will highlight good practice, advise on shortcomings, and conduct “deep dives” into compliance issues. Where necessary, enforcement will be “robust but fair and proportionate.”

While private security businesses and operatives are not directly in scope, Russell noted their importance as stakeholders, often acting as the first response in incidents.

She stressed that the SIA will be held accountable not only by Parliament and ministers, but also by the public, venues, and campaigners including Figen Murray, whose son Martyn Hett was killed in the Manchester Arena attack of 22 May 2017.

“We hold the memory of the 22 people who died, and all those who were injured and affected, clearly in the forefront of our minds,” Russell said.

Next Steps

With statutory guidance due in 2026 and commencement planned for 2027, the SIA is focused on ensuring venues and events across the UK are prepared. The ultimate goal, Russell concluded, is that premises and events feel safe places to be, where everyone plays their part in protecting against terrorist threats.

For further resources, the Home Office has published a Martyn’s Law myth buster to help organisations understand the new requirements.