The proposed rules entering into force in Spring 2027 refer to
Martyn’s Law (officially the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025). Named in memory of Martyn Hett, one of the 22 people killed in the 2017 Manchester Arena attack, the legislation requires venue operators and public event organizers in the UK to put statutory procedures in place to prepare for and respond to potential terrorist incidents.
The regulatory framework is overseen by the Security Industry Authority (SIA) and follows a tiered structure based on venue capacity and event scale.
Scope and Tiers
1. Standard Tier (Capacity: 200–799 people)
Applies to smaller publicly accessible premises (such as local halls, venues, or community hubs) expecting 200 or more people at peak times.
* Registration: Must notify the SIA of the responsible person for the venue.
* Procedural Focus: Focuses on low-cost, low-burden procedural readiness rather than expensive physical alterations.
* Public Protection Procedures: Requires simple, pre-planned procedures for:
* Evacuation: Moving people away from danger.
* Invacuation & Lockdown: Moving people to safer areas within the building or locking down entry points.
* Communication: Ensuring staff know how to alert visitors and contact emergency services swiftly.
2. Enhanced Tier & Qualifying Events (Capacity: 800+ people)
Applies to larger premises (e.g., stadiums, major arenas, exhibition halls) and standalone temporary outdoor events (such as festivals, shows, or sports events on open land) expecting 800 or more attendees simultaneously.
* Registration & Senior Leadership: Must register with the SIA and designate a responsible senior individual.
* Vulnerability Assessments: Conduct formal risk and vulnerability assessments.
* Physical & Operational Security Measures: Implement reasonably practicable measures, which may include:
* Access control and bag searching policies.
* CCTV and security monitoring of the site perimeter.
* Vehicle security barriers or checks where appropriate.
* Information security safeguards for site plans and emergency documents.
Key Requirements for Temporary/Qualifying Events
To fall under the standalone event rules (for temporary setups not taking place in an existing Enhanced Tier venue), an event must meet four specific conditions:
* Location: Takes place on open land (e.g., parks, fields) or in a building not already covered by the Enhanced Tier.
* Attendance: Reasonably expected to have 800 or more people present at the same time.
* Controlled Entry ("Express Permission"): Entry is checked by staff/volunteers based on a condition of entry (e.g., paid tickets, free passes, or specific invitations).
* Public Access: Accessible to members of the general public.
Enforcement and Implementation
* The Regulator: The SIA has investigatory, inspection, and enforcement powers, including issuing compliance notices and financial penalties for non-compliance.
* Implementation Period: An official 24-month implementation phase runs until Spring 2027 to allow venue owners, local authorities, and event planners to conduct vulnerability reviews, train staff, and implement emergency plans
So I asked the question regarding LARP
Does Your LARP Meet the 6 Event Criteria?
According to the official
Home Office Factsheet, a standalone or temporary event falls within the scope of the Act if it fulfills
all six of the following conditions:
- The Venue: The event takes place at a defined premises (which includes a building, open land like a campsite or park, or a combination of both). [1]
- Not Already Covered: The venue itself is not already classified as an independent "enhanced tier" premises under the Act. [1]
- Public Accessibility: The event is accessible to members of the public. [1]
- Capacity Threshold: It is reasonable to expect that, at some point during the event, 800 or more individuals (including players, crew, monsters, and vendors) will be present at the same time. [1, 2]
- Controlled Entry Condition: The event has a system to check that attendees meet a specific entry requirement—meaning attendees must have a paid ticket, a pre-booked pass, or hold membership in the LARP club or association. [1]
- No Exclusions: The event is not explicitly excluded under Schedule 2 of the Act. [1]
An event that satisfies the following six criteria fall within scope of the Act: The event takes place at premises... is accessible to the public; It is reasonable to expect that... 800 or more individuals may be present... [and] has measures in place to check that attendees satisfy an entry condition. —
Home Office
Happily, we will never be able to hold more than 100 people so we escape this one .
However today I got a letter from the local Environment agency of Ceredigion Council who have decided that we are not disposing of our "commercial Waste" correctly. Sadly the officer who I need to talk to is on annual leave for two weeks - but I must respond within 20 working days. This will be interesting.
So - ho hum
Done the calculations and it looks like I can write a cheque for £400 for the Firefighters Charity.
That about sums up today
Cheers
