The
SIA received nearly 200 detailed responses
to the consultation and engaged with over 1,800 people and
organisations across a wide range of industries through
its webinar programme.
The SIA is the regulator for the Terrorism (Protection of
Premises) Act, known as Martyn's Law, which is
expected to come into force from spring 2027. The breadth of
engagement with the consultation reflects the
importance of the legislation and the commitment of
individuals and organisations across the UK to helping keep the
public safe.
Martyn's Law named in memory of Martyn Hett, who was killed in
the Manchester Arena attack aims to keep people safe by ensuring
that publicly accessible premises and events are better prepared
for, and protected against, the consequences of a terrorist
attack.
The consultation focused on the SIA's draft section 12
guidance, which explains how the SIA plans
to operate as the regulator, taking a supportive,
proportionate and risk-based approach to using its
powers. The guidance set out how the SIA will:
-
help people comply with the law
-
use its powers to obtain information and carry out
inspections
-
address non-compliance, including when it may use enforcement
powers and how financial penalties will be set
The feedback and insights gathered throughout this process will
help to make the final guidance as clear as possible. The
SIA plans to publish its final Section 12 guidance and
a full consultation report in autumn 2026.
While Martyn's Law is not expected to come into force
until spring 2027, the SIA is encouraging all
those who may be in scope to begin considering how the
legislation will affect them.
Further resources and information on Martyn's Law, its scope
and how to comply can be found in the Home Office guidance,
and on Protect
UK.
To stay up to date with the SIA's work as regulator for Martyn's
Law, sign up to the dedicated
mailing list to receive the latest updates and
invitations to future engagement opportunities.
Laura Gibb, Executive Director for Martyn's Law at the SIA,
said:
We are grateful to all those who took the time to contribute to
this consultation and have been encouraged by the strength of
engagement throughout the process. The feedback
gathered will help us to ensure the final guidance meets the
needs of those it is intended to support, ahead of publication
later this year.
