Does Martyn’s Law Impact Churches and Places of Worship?

The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, more commonly known as Martyn’s Law, received Royal Assent in April 2025, with enforcement expected in early 2027. The legislation aims to improve public safety by ensuring organisations take proportionate steps to identify and mitigate terrorism-related risks, reduce vulnerabilities, and respond effectively should a terrorist attack occur.

The current threat level across the UK is SEVERE, and recent events have highlighted the importance of being prepared for a range of emergencies.

Does Martyn’s Law Apply to Churches?

The simple answer is yes – but not every church will fall within the scope of the legislation.

Schedule 1 of The Act lists the premises types that may be within the scope of the legislation – and places of worship are one of those types listed. Whether your church is in scope depends largely on the number of people who could reasonably be expected to be on the premises at the same time, from time to time.

Generally speaking:

• Fewer than 200 people – Your church is not legally required to comply with Martyn’s Law, although following the guidance is still considered good practice, particulalry in light of the current UK threat level.
• 200 or more people – Your church will fall within the Standard Tier requirements.
• For some other premises types, once that number exceeds 800, the premises moves into the Enhanced Tier. Churches however have a special exemption from the Enhanced Tier, and will only be classified as Standard Tier premises, even if attendance exceeds 800 people.
• Separately managed venues that are not primarily places of workship, or certain large ticketed events held away from the main premises, may be subject to additional Enhanced Tier requirements.

It’s important to remember that attendance isn’t based solely on your average Sunday congregation. Seasonal services such as Christmas, Easter, weddings, funerals, concerts and community events should all be considered when assessing whether your premises are in scope.

What Will Churches Need to Do?

Martyn’s Law is designed to be proportionate. For most churches, compliance is centred around planning and preparedness rather than expensive security measures.

Churches within scope should have procedures covering:

• Evacuation – Safely moving people out of the building.
• Invacuation – Moving people to a safer area inside the building if the threat is outside.
• Lockdown – Restricting access to the building from outside.
• Communication – Alerting occupants quickly and providing clear instructions during an incident.

Staff and key volunteers should understand these procedures and know what actions to take in an emergency. Regular reviews and simple practice exercises can help ensure everyone is prepared.

When Will the Law Come Into Force?

Although Martyn’s Law received Royal Assent in April 2025, organisations have been given an implementation period of at least 24 months to prepare.

The legislation is not expected to come into force before 5 April 2027, giving churches time to review their current arrangements and implement any necessary changes now.

Why Prepare Now?

Even if your church falls outside the scope of the legislation, taking steps to improve emergency preparedness is worthwhile.

Simple measures such as reviewing emergency procedures, considering how the building would be secured during an incident, and ensuring volunteers understand their roles can improve safety for everyone who uses your premises.

Preparation doesn’t have to be complicated, it simply means knowing what to do if an emergency occurs.

How Diamond Systems Can Help

At Diamond Systems, we work with churches and places of worship to improve life safety and security.

Whether you’re looking to understand how Martyn’s Law may affect your organisation, review your existing security arrangements, conduct a gap analysis, or explore practical measures such as access control, CCTV, emergency communications or staff training, our team is here to help.

If you’d like to discuss your church’s preparedness or find out more about Martyn’s Law, get in touch with Diamond Systems today. We’d be happy to provide practical, straightforward advice tailored to your premises.