This guide provides essential pre-course learning on Martyn’s Law—a new piece of UK legislation that will impact the duties and responsibilities of all security operatives. If you’re about to begin a security course, it’s important you understand this law, why it’s being introduced, and how it will influence your role. This knowledge will form a crucial foundation for your future career in security, as it directly relates to public safety and counter-terrorism measures.

Who was Martyn Hett?

• Martyn Hett was a 29-year-old man from Stockport, Greater Manchester.
• He was creative, outgoing, and well-known on social media for his humour and love of pop culture.
• On 22 May 2017, Martyn attended an Ariana Grande concert at the Manchester Arena.
• Tragically, he was one of 22 people killed when a terrorist detonated a suicide bomb in the venue’s foyer.

Martyn had simply gone out to enjoy a concert—just like thousands of others that night. His death, along with many others, could potentially have been prevented if better security procedures had been in place. His story highlights the devastating impact of terrorism on innocent lives and the critical need for enhanced security protocols in public spaces.

 

The Manchester Arena attack: what happened?

• The attacker, Salman Abedi, carried a homemade explosive device in a backpack.
• He waited in the foyer area, targeting people as they were leaving the concert.
• The explosion killed 22 people and injured over 1,000 more, many of them children.
• The Manchester Arena Inquiry later revealed significant security failings, including:
• Security personnel failing to challenge suspicious behaviour.
• Poor communication between security and venue staff, leading to a fragmented response.
• A general lack of comprehensive training and preparedness among staff to deal with such an event.

These critical findings led to urgent calls for better, more robust security legislation in public venues—especially those where large crowds gather regularly. The inquiry underscored the need for a proactive and standardised approach to counter-terrorism security across the UK.

 

Who is Figen Murray, and what did she do?

• Figen Murray is Martyn’s mother.
• After the tragic loss of her son, she became a leading and tireless campaigner for counter-terrorism reform in the UK.
• She launched a powerful campaign calling for a new legal duty to protect the public from terrorism in venues and public places, arguing that such a duty should be enshrined in law.
• Her extraordinary efforts and unwavering determination ultimately led to the creation of Martyn’s Law, also known as the Protect Duty.
• Figen Murray has been deservedly awarded an OBE (Order of the British Empire) for her profound work in counter-terrorism and public safety, recognising her significant contribution to national security.

 

What is Martyn’s Law?

Martyn’s Law is a proposed UK law that aims to make public venues legally responsible for putting in place counter-terrorism security measures. The idea is simple and compelling:

“If you can protect the public, you should.”

At present, there is no consistent legal requirement for venues to take proactive action against terrorism unless they are already covered by other specific security legislation (e.g., airports, government buildings, or certain critical infrastructure). This regulatory gap has resulted in inconsistencies in how security is managed at various public places, creating potential vulnerabilities.

Martyn’s Law will change that by introducing a consistent and mandatory standard for public venues to enhance their security against terrorist threats, thereby creating a safer environment for everyone.

 

What will Martyn’s Law require?

Martyn’s Law will apply to most venues, organisations, and spaces open to the public—including those hosting events, entertainment, sports, retail, or religious services. The scope is broad to ensure maximum public protection.

It introduces two main levels of responsibility, tailored to the size and potential risk of the venue:

 

Standard Tier (for venues with 100–799 capacity):

• Must complete a terrorism risk assessment to identify potential vulnerabilities and threats specific to their premises.
• Provide basic counter-terrorism awareness training to staff, ensuring they understand the threat and how to react.
• Have a simple but effective plan in place for evacuation and emergency response, clearly outlining roles and procedures.

 

Enhanced Tier (for venues with 800+ capacity):

• Conduct detailed terror threat assessments specific to the venue, which includes considering the nature of the events held and the likely attendee profile.
• Develop and maintain a comprehensive security plan, which should be regularly reviewed and updated based on evolving threats.
• Implement advanced staff training in counter-terrorism, such as recognising hostile reconnaissance (when individuals scout a location for a potential attack) and suspicious behaviour, and how to report it effectively.
• Regularly test emergency procedures through drills and exercises to ensure staff proficiency and the plan's effectiveness.
• Work closely and collaboratively with local police, counter-terror teams, and emergency services to share intelligence, coordinate responses, and participate in joint planning.

 

Why is Martyn’s Law important for security operatives?

As a security professional, you will be directly affected by Martyn’s Law. This legislation will significantly shape your daily duties and responsibilities. Whether you’re working at a small nightclub or a large concert venue, you may be responsible for:

• Assessing threats and diligently reporting suspicious behaviour or unattended items.
• Supporting emergency evacuation procedures efficiently and safely, guiding the public to safety.
• Receiving and delivering training related to terrorism awareness, ensuring a continuous improvement in security knowledge.
• Working directly with police or emergency services in live incidents, following their instructions and providing vital assistance.
• Monitoring CCTV, managing access control, or observing visitor behaviour more proactively to identify and mitigate potential risks before they escalate.

 

How will this change the role of the security operative?

Martyn’s Law signals a significant shift in the expectations placed on the security industry. Here’s how it will fundamentally change the role of a security operative:

 

From passive guarding to active prevention:

• Security is no longer just about controlling access or deterring common crime—it’s now crucially about actively protecting lives from serious and evolving threats like terrorism.
• Operatives will be trained not only to react but to proactively spot and respond to terrorism-related risks, becoming integral to the first line of defence.

 

Mandatory training:

• You will be expected to complete comprehensive counter-terrorism awareness training, such as the ACT (Action Counters Terrorism) Awareness e-learning programme, as a foundational requirement.
• Some roles, particularly in Enhanced Tier venues, will require more advanced and specialised training in threat detection, emergency response, and incident management.

 

Legal responsibilities:

• Your actions (or inactions) during a threat scenario could have serious legal implications for both you personally and the venue you are protecting.
• This means a higher level of accountability and professionalism will be expected from all security staff, reinforcing the critical nature of your role.

 

Working in partnership:

• Effective security will now involve closer and more integrated cooperation with venue management, emergency services, and law enforcement agencies.
• You may regularly take part in joint exercises, security briefings, or comprehensive security drills designed to test and refine multi-agency responses to potential threats.

 

Your responsibility as a learner and future operative

By understanding Martyn’s Law now, before your course begins, you are already taking an important step toward becoming a professional, proactive, and highly effective security operative. This foundational knowledge will empower you.

You are expected to:

• Stay up to date with terrorism-related threats and security advisories issued in the UK. This vigilance is crucial.
• Take your training seriously—especially counter-terrorism awareness modules. These are not merely tick-box exercises but vital skills for protecting lives.
• Understand that you may one day be the first person on the scene to respond to a life-threatening situation. Your preparedness and immediate actions could make a monumental difference.

 

Further learning and resources

We encourage you to explore the following resources as part of your pre-course learning to deepen your understanding:

 

ACT Awareness e-learning (Free Training): This is a crucial starting point for all security professionals. https://ct.highfieldelearning.com

 

Martyn’s Law: UK Government Information: Official government publications provide the most accurate and up-to-date details on the legislation. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/martyns-law

 

Manchester Arena Inquiry Final Report: For a comprehensive understanding of the events that led to Martyn's Law and the inquiry's findings. https://manchesterarenainquiry.org.uk/

 

Figen Murray’s Campaign Website: Learn more about the inspiring individual behind this vital legislation and her ongoing work. https://www.figenmurray.co.uk

 

Final thoughts

“We all have a part to play in keeping the public safe. Martyn’s Law reminds us that when lives can be saved, inaction is not an option.”

As a future security professional, Martyn’s Law is your call to action. It represents not only a fundamental legal obligation but also a profound moral one. Your comprehensive training, combined with an understanding of this crucial legislation, will help ensure tragedies like the Manchester Arena bombing never happen again.