Martyn’s Law: What Event Organisers Need to Know and How Accreditation Management Systems Can Help

The events industry is built on people coming together — whether for concerts, sporting occasions, conferences, or festivals. Yet with large crowds comes the responsibility of safety. In 2025, this responsibility has been transformed into a legal duty with the introduction of Martyn’s Law, formally the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025.

For event organisers and accreditation managers, this legislation has profound implications. It requires not only enhanced protective measures but also documented evidence of compliance. In this article, we explore what Martyn’s Law means for event organisers, how accreditation management systems play a crucial role in compliance, and how Authzone’s services directly align with the requirements of the law.

Understanding Martyn’s Law

Martyn’s Law is named in honour of Martyn Hett, one of the 22 victims of the Manchester Arena terrorist attack in 2017. His mother, Figen Murray, campaigned tirelessly for stronger security measures at public venues.

The law, introduced in April 2025, ensures that all qualifying venues and events adopt proportionate security procedures to protect the public.

The Tiered Framework

Martyn’s Law introduces a tiered system based on venue and event capacity:

• Standard Tier (200–799 people):
  Responsible persons must notify the Security Industry Authority (SIA) and ensure appropriate public protection procedures are in place. These are intended to be low-cost, practical measures such as evacuation planning, staff training in first aid, and basic lockdown processes.

• Enhanced Tier (800+ people):
  In addition to standard tier requirements, enhanced venues must implement stronger security measures. These include vulnerability reduction actions such as bag checks, CCTV monitoring, and vehicle security protocols. Enhanced venues must also document their procedures and provide this to the regulator if required.

The law is being phased in over two years, giving event organisers time to adapt, but its message is clear: preparedness is now mandatory.

The Impact on Event Organisers and Accreditation Managers

Event organisers — regardless of whether they own the venue — are often considered the “responsible person” under the Act. This means they carry the legal duty to ensure protective measures are in place. Accreditation managers, meanwhile, play a vital role in enforcing and evidencing these measures on the ground.

Key implications include:

• Capacity and Tier Assessment: Organisers must calculate expected attendee numbers, including staff and contractors, to determine whether their event falls under the standard or enhanced tier.

• Risk Assessments and Planning: A thorough risk assessment must be conducted, with clear procedures for evacuation, lockdown, and invacuation.

• Staff Training: Staff and stewards must be trained not only in crowd management but also in emergency procedures and first aid.

• Notification to the Regulator: All qualifying venues and events must notify the SIA of their responsibility.

• Collaboration: Organisers must coordinate closely with venue operators, local authorities, and emergency services.

For accreditation managers, this translates into ensuring that every individual on-site is verified, accounted for, and able to be managed in real time. This is where Accreditation Management Systems (AMS) become indispensable.

How Accreditation Management Systems Support Compliance

Accreditation Management Systems bridge the gap between legal obligation and operational practice. Each core feature of an AMS can be directly mapped to the requirements of Martyn’s Law.

Controlled Access

Martyn’s Law requires venues, particularly those in the enhanced tier, to reduce vulnerabilities to terrorism. One of the most effective ways to achieve this is by limiting access to only those who are authorised.

AMS platforms allow organisers to create zoned access areas within a venue. Staff, contractors, and VIPs are issued with personalised badges encoded with their access permissions. Sensitive locations — such as back-of-house areas, VIP lounges, or media centres — can therefore remain secure at all times.

This directly supports the law’s requirement to implement proportionate protective measures. In an emergency, access control can also be used to lock down areas quickly, reducing potential harm.

Real-Time Monitoring

Preparedness under Martyn’s Law is not simply about having a plan; it is about having visibility during the event. AMS systems provide live monitoring of who is on-site and in which zone.

For enhanced-tier venues, this capability fulfils the law’s expectation to continually monitor vulnerabilities. If a heatmap shows overcrowding in one area, security teams can intervene before it becomes a safety issue. In a crisis, real-time headcounts ensure that evacuation teams know exactly where people are, helping to save lives.

Identity Verification

Martyn’s Law requires organisers to adopt measures that protect the public. Verifying identities is central to this principle. AMS platforms ensure that every individual entering the site — from contractors and suppliers to press and performers — has been registered and approved.

By eliminating the possibility of “unknown” or unauthorised individuals gaining access, organisers not only enhance security but also demonstrate compliance. For standard-tier events, this shows that proportionate protective procedures have been taken. For enhanced-tier events, it provides documented proof of rigorous security controls.

Rapid Incident Response

Emergency preparedness is at the heart of Martyn’s Law. Whether dealing with an evacuation, invacuation, or lockdown, organisers must be able to act quickly.

AMS systems support this with integrated communication tools. Security teams can send instant SMS, email, or app notifications to targeted groups. For example, if an incident occurs in Zone A, stewards in that zone can be alerted within seconds to begin lockdown procedures.

This immediacy ensures that protective actions can be implemented without delay, directly aligning with the law’s requirement to reduce risk and protect the public.

Maintaining Audit Trails

For enhanced-tier venues, Martyn’s Law requires organisers to document their protective measures and provide evidence to the regulator.

AMS platforms automatically generate detailed audit trails, recording:

• Who was accredited and when.

• Which zones they accessed.

• Every scan, alert, and communication sent during the event.

This data forms a comprehensive compliance record. If the SIA requests evidence, organisers can produce it instantly, demonstrating both preparedness and accountability.

Conclusion

Martyn’s Law marks a significant shift in the responsibilities of event organisers and accreditation managers. What was once considered best practice is now a legal requirement. Preparedness, documentation, and accountability are no longer optional — they are essential.

Accreditation Management Systems offer a practical way to implement these requirements. From access control to audit trails, they provide the tools needed to demonstrate compliance and, most importantly, keep people safe.

Authzone’s platform has been designed with these needs in mind. With features that directly map to the requirements of Martyn’s Law, it gives organisers confidence that their events are not only secure but also compliant.