SIA updates on Martyn’s Law implementation progress

The Security Industry Authority (SIA) has outlined the latest steps toward implementing Martyn’s Law, stressing a proportionate regulatory approach and cautioning venues against spending money on products or services claiming to guarantee compliance. The update comes from Laura Gibb, the SIA’s Executive Director for Martyn’s Law, marking 10 weeks in post.

Current status of Martyn’s Law

Martyn’s Law has not yet taken effect. The Home Office has confirmed a minimum two‑year implementation period following Royal Assent, granted in April 2025. As a result, venues and events are not yet legally required to comply, and the SIA does not currently hold its new enforcement powers. Statutory guidance from the Home Office is still being finalised.

The SIA is preparing its own Section 12 statutory guidance, which will explain how the regulator will operate. This will be released for consultation once the Home Office publishes its guidance.

Concerns over premature compliance spending

The SIA reports a rise in organisations being encouraged to purchase products or consultancy services marketed as “Martyn’s Law compliant.” Gibb warns that such spending is unlikely to be well‑founded at this stage, as no one can yet offer an accurate compliance solution without the final statutory guidance.

The regulator emphasises that requirements will vary depending on each venue’s circumstances, and organisations should avoid unnecessary expenditure until guidance is published. Free resources, including ProtectUK materials and a Home Office myth‑buster, remain the most reliable sources of information for now.

Commitment to a proportionate regulatory approach

Gibb reiterates that the SIA will take a supportive and proportionate approach once the regime is in force. The Act requires measures only where “reasonably practicable,” reflecting Parliament’s intention to minimise burdens on venues, particularly smaller ones.

The SIA’s regulatory model will include clear explanations of inspection processes, additional guidance to help venues understand practical compliance, a risk‑based inspection framework, and strong internal standards for inspector training and decision‑making.

Work underway to prepare for the new regime

Significant operational development is in progress, including building a secure digital portal for notifications and compliance documentation, drafting detailed guidance for the regulated community, and recruiting new staff to support regulatory functions. The SIA encourages those interested in joining the organisation to monitor Civil Service Jobs and its LinkedIn page for upcoming vacancies.

Call for sector engagement

The SIA stresses that industry insight remains essential. Once the Section 12 guidance consultation opens, the regulator is urging venues, event organisers, and security professionals to provide feedback to ensure the guidance is clear, practical, and aligned with real‑world needs.