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Martyn’s Law, officially the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, is UK-wide legislation designed to improve preparedness and protective security at certain publicly accessible premises and events.

The legislation was introduced following the Manchester Arena bombing in 2017, and is named in memory of Martyn Hett, one of the 22 people killed in the attack. Martyn’s mother, Figen Murray OBE, campaigned for many years after the bombing for the introduction of legislation that would improve security in public spaces.

Martyn’s Law will require those responsible for qualifying premises and events to take appropriate steps to reduce the risk of physical harm if a terrorist attack occurs. Larger premises and qualifying events will have additional duties aimed at reducing their vulnerability to an attack.

Who does Martyn’s Law apply to?

For qualifying premises, the requirements are split into two tiers:

Standard Tier

Premises where it is reasonably expected that between 200 and 799 people, including staff, may be present at the same time.

Enhanced Tier

Premises where 800 or more people, including staff, may reasonably be expected to be present at the same time. Qualifying events with 800 or more people can also fall within the enhanced requirements.

Examples of premises that may fall within scope include shops, restaurants, hotels, entertainment and leisure venues, visitor attractions, healthcare premises, places of worship and educational establishments.

There are some exceptions to the usual tier thresholds. For example, qualifying places of worship and childcare, primary, secondary and further education premises remain within the Standard Tier, even where 800 or more people may be present.

What will organisations need to do?

The exact requirements will depend on the type and size of the premises.

At Standard Tier, organisations will need to notify the Security Industry Authority (SIA) and have appropriate public protection procedures in place, so far as reasonably practicable.

These procedures cover:

• Evacuation
• Invacuation
• Lockdown
• Communicating with people on the premises

Enhanced Tier premises and qualifying events will have additional requirements, including considering appropriate public protection measures to reduce vulnerability and the risk of harm.

Does Martyn’s Law apply in Northern Ireland?

Yes. The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act applies across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Preparing for Martyn’s Law

The substantive requirements of Martyn’s Law are not yet in force. This is expected to happen in April or May 2027. However, organisations that are likely to fall within scope should start preparing now.

Understanding whether your premises are likely to be affected, identifying who will be responsible, and reviewing your existing emergency procedures are sensible first steps.

Need help understanding how Martyn’s Law could affect your organisation? Get in touch with our team for further information and to enquire about our gap analysis assessment to help you get prepared.

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.

Construction sites are prime targets for theft, vandalism, and trespassing. With valuable tools, machinery, fuel and materials often left on site overnight or during weekends, security should be considered from the very start of every project.

Construction site crime remains a major issue across the UK. In a recent industry survey of 500 construction professionals across the UK, 64% of reported an increase in site crime over the last 12 months, with theft and vandalism continuing to cause costly delays and disruption to projects.

Why Temporary CCTV Makes Sense

Not every construction project requires a permanent security installation. During the early stages of a build, on short-term projects, or where permanent infrastructure has not yet been installed, temporary CCTV provides a flexible, cost-effective and highly effective security solution.

A professionally designed temporary CCTV system can:

• Deter theft, vandalism and unauthorised access through a visible security presence.
• Enable remote monitoring of the site outside normal working hours.
• Provide live video access for site managers, project teams and stakeholders.
• Record high-quality footage to support investigations, insurance claims and legal proceedings.
• Improve overall site safety, accountability and operational oversight.

Every site presents different challenges. The most effective solution will depend on factors such as the size and layout of the site, available power, internet connectivity, site boundaries and the current stage of construction.

More Than Just Security

Temporary CCTV delivers benefits beyond security alone.

It allows project teams to monitor deliveries, oversee contractor activity, verify site access, review incidents, and maintain greater visibility across the project. This can help improve productivity, reduce disputes and provide reassurance that the site is being monitored 24 hours a day.

Protect Your Site Before Problems Start

The reality is simple – construction sites are vulnerable and criminals know it.

Installing temporary CCTV early in a project can significantly reduce risk, help deter opportunistic crime, and minimise the chance of costly disruption.

At Diamond Systems we supply, install and commission temporary CCTV systems for construction sites across Northern Ireland, tailored to each site’s specific requirements.

If you’d like to discuss your site requirements or request a quote, get in touch with our team today.

Siemens Smart Infrastructure has introduced a new range of intelligent fire detectors that take fire protection beyond traditional compliance and toward proactive, connected safety. This development reflects a broader shift in fire safety technology – moving systems from standalone alarms to active data sources that support smarter building operations. For more details straight from Siemens, you can read the original press release here.

What’s New: Cerberus Nova

Siemens has launched a new generation of fire detectors under the Cerberus Nova range.

These systems move beyond conventional fire alarm technology, using advanced multi-sensor detection, continuous 24/7 self-diagnostics, and cloud connectivity. This enables real-time system insights and predictive monitoring to support facility management teams more proactively.

Engaging Fire Alarm Designers Through Lunch & Learn Sessions

Alongside the rollout of these technologies, we’ve been running lunch and learn sessions with fire alarm designers and consultants, showcasing the latest Siemens fire detection systems and how they support smarter, more connected building design.

These sessions give teams a practical look at system capabilities, integration options, and how the technology fits within modern fire safety strategies. There’s been strong interest so far, with more sessions already planned in the coming weeks.

From Reactive to Proactive Fire Safety

Key features that set these detectors apart include:

• Continuous self-checks – automated, disturbance-free testing reduces manual maintenance.
• Cloud connectivity – real-time monitoring, remote diagnostics, and predictive maintenance.
• Reduced false alarms – multi-wavelength detection ensures alarms trigger only for real threats.
• Easy upgrades – compatible with existing panels, plug-and-play installation reduces downtime and risk.

These capabilities help teams identify and address issues before they escalate into emergencies, improving overall building safety.

Supporting Smarter, Autonomous Buildings

Autonomous buildings are designed to monitor themselves, anticipate problems, and respond with minimal human input. Fire safety has often lagged because traditional systems only generate data during alarm events.

With IoT-connected Siemens detectors:

• Buildings can detect potential fire risks earlier.
• Maintenance shifts from routine schedules to condition-based interventions.
• Fire systems integrate into the building’s digital management platform, becoming part of an intelligent operational ecosystem.

This shift from passive alarms to active, data-driven systems allows buildings to operate more reliably and safely.

Real-World Impact

Across sectors including healthcare, data centers, campuses, and commercial real estate, these advanced fire detection systems deliver tangible benefits:

• Reduced unplanned downtime
• Improved visibility and risk management across multiple sites
• Lower lifecycle costs through predictive servicing and fewer false alarms

Cloud integration and predictive analytics are already transforming the way engineers and facility teams manage fire safety systems.

Part of a Wider Digital Strategy

Siemens is integrating these detectors into its wider digital ecosystem, including the Building X platform and fire-specific cloud applications. This allows better data sharing across building systems and positions fire safety as a core component of unified, data-driven building management.

As a trusted Siemens partner, we supply these next-generation fire alarm systems and can help you explore how they fit into your buildings’ safety and operational strategy.

Interested in upgrading your fire safety systems? Contact us today to discuss Siemens fire detectors and intelligent building solutions.

Practical Fire Safety Workshops Now Available in Belfast

At Diamond Systems, we talk a lot about raising standards in life safety.

But in our experience, one of the biggest risks isn’t always the system itself — it’s uncertainty around responsibility.

Who is accountable?
What does “compliant” actually mean in practice?
And most importantly… would your organisation be ready if something happened?

That’s exactly why we’ve introduced our Fire Safety Workshops — focused, practical sessions designed to give clarity to those responsible for managing buildings.

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Turning Compliance into Clarity

Fire safety legislation places clear duties on those responsible for buildings — but the reality is, many people are still unsure where those responsibilities begin and end.

Our workshops are designed to cut through that.

In just one hour, we provide a structured, practical briefing that helps you understand:

• Your legal duties under fire safety legislation
• What being the Responsible Person actually means
• Where risk typically sits within a building
• Common gaps we see across real sites
• What “good” looks like in practice — beyond ticking boxes

This is not theory. It’s based on what we see every day working across real buildings, real systems, and real risks.

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Designed for Those Who Carry the Responsibility

These workshops are specifically tailored for:

• Facilities Managers
• Building and Premises Managers
• Health & Safety professionals
• Responsible Persons
• Estates teams
• Anyone with accountability for fire safety within a building

If you are the person others look to when it comes to safety, this session is for you.

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Why We’re Delivering These Workshops

Following our Responsibility to Protect Conference in Belfast, one thing became clear:

There is a growing awareness of risk — but not always a clear understanding of what to do about it.

We believe that needs to change.

As part of our wider vision to set the standard in life safety and security systems, we are investing in education as much as technology.

Because ultimately, systems don’t keep people safe on their own.

People do — when they are informed, confident and prepared.

As proud Fire Aware members, we take that responsibility seriously and are committed to raising awareness and helping organisations fully understand and meet their fire safety duties.

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Workshop Details

📍 Location: Diamond Systems Office, Belfast (BT3 9HB)
🚗 Parking: Free on-site parking

📅 Next Session: 18 June
🕘 Time: 9:30am – 10:30am

👥 Places: Limited to 8 delegates

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A Small Group, High-Value Session

We deliberately keep numbers low.

This isn’t a lecture — it’s a focused session where you can ask questions, relate it to your own building, and leave with practical insight you can act on immediately.

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Know Where You Stand

Fire safety is not just about having systems in place.

It’s about understanding your responsibilities, identifying your risks, and being confident that if something happens, you are prepared.

That’s what this workshop is designed to give you.

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📩 To book your place, email: sales@diamondsystems.co.uk

Places are limited to 8 and tend to fill quickly.

Diamond Systems partners with PerpetuityARC Training to deliver accredited protective security course

At Diamond Systems, our purpose is simple — to protect people and property from the risks of fire, crime and terrorism.

That purpose doesn’t stop at systems. It extends to knowledge, leadership and helping organisations understand what good really looks like when it comes to keeping people safe.

Following the success of our Responsibility to Protect Conference in Belfast, where we brought together industry leaders, regulators and security professionals to discuss the realities of public safety, the next step is clear.

We are proud to announce that Diamond Systems will now host the SFJ Awards Level 3 Award in Counter Terrorism Protective Security and Preparedness in Belfast.

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Bringing Counter Terrorism Training to Northern Ireland

Until now, professionals in Northern Ireland have had to travel to England to access this level of specialist counter terrorism training.

We saw that as a barrier.

By hosting this course at our Belfast office, we are making high-quality, accredited training more accessible — removing the need for travel, reducing time away from work, and enabling more organisations to build real capability in protective security.

This is part of our wider vision:

To set the standard for life safety and security systems in the UK

Raising standards is not just about what we install. It’s about how we educate, support and lead.

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About the Course

The Level 3 Award in Counter Terrorism Protective Security and Preparedness is an Ofqual-regulated qualification designed to give delegates a practical understanding of how to protect people, buildings and operations from terrorist threats.

Delivered by PerpetuityARC Training — a leading UK provider specialising in security, risk and counter terrorism — the course has been developed in collaboration with Counter Terrorism Policing and NaCTSO (National Counter Terrorism Security Office).

This is not theoretical learning. It is practical, relevant and grounded in real-world risk.

What the course covers:

• Understanding current terrorist threats and attack methodologies
• Conducting risk assessments in real environments
• Identifying vulnerabilities in buildings and operations
• Developing proportionate protective security measures
• Emergency planning and response strategies
• Applying counter terrorism principles to day-to-day operations

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Who Should Attend?

This course is designed for those with responsibility for safety, security and operational resilience, including:

• Facilities Managers
• Responsible Persons under fire and safety legislation
• Health & Safety Managers
• Security Managers and Duty Managers
• Venue operators and event organisers
• Estates teams across education, healthcare and public sector organisations

If your role involves protecting people — directly or indirectly — this course provides the knowledge and confidence to make better decisions.

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Course Details

📍 Location: Diamond Systems Office, Belfast
🚗 Parking: Free on-site parking available

📅 First Cohort: 22 – 26 June
📅 Second Cohort: 28 September – 2 October

👥 Places: Limited to 8 delegates per course
💷 Cost: £1,800 + VAT

To secure your place, email: sales@diamondsystems.co.uk

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Why This Matters Now

With evolving legislation such as Martyn’s Law and increased focus on public safety, organisations are being asked to do more — and rightly so.

But compliance alone is not enough.

Real safety comes from understanding risk, planning properly, and ensuring that when something happens, your people and your systems respond as they should.

That is where training like this makes the difference.

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Building Capability, Not Just Compliance

At Diamond Systems, we believe the future of life safety and security is not just about installing systems.

It’s about:

• Raising competence
• Supporting responsible persons
• Connecting fire and security thinking
• Helping organisations move from compliance to capability

Hosting this Level 3 Counter Terrorism course is another step in that journey.

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If you are serious about protecting your people, your premises and your reputation, this is the level of training that sets you apart.

Places are limited to 8 delegates per cohort.

📩 Email sales@diamondsystems.co.uk to register your interest or book your place.

If you’ve been looking at security systems, you’ve probably come across the term intruder alarm police response. But what does it actually mean and is it worth having?

What is Police Response?

A police response intruder alarm is a professionally monitored alarm system that can trigger a police call-out when there’s a confirmed break-in.

Unlike standard alarms, it’s connected to an approved Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC). When the alarm activates, the ARC checks the signal and, if it’s confirmed as genuine, contacts the police for attendance.

To qualify in the UK, systems must be:

• Installed and maintained by an approved company (NSI is the UK’s premier certification body)
• Compliant with recognised British Standards
• Issued with a police Unique Reference Number (URN)

You can find more information on police response policies on the PSNI website.

How Does It Work?

• Alarm is activated
• Signal is sent to a monitoring centre
• The activation is verified
• If confirmed, police are contacted

This verification step is key – it helps reduce false call-outs and ensures police attend genuine incidents only.

Why is Police Response Useful?

1. Faster action when it matters
If a break-in is confirmed, police can be dispatched quickly while the incident is still happening.

2. Strong deterrent
Visible protection backed by police response makes properties far less attractive to intruders.

3. Fewer false alarms
Modern systems use verification to reduce unnecessary police call-outs.

4. Insurance benefits
Many insurers prefer or require monitored systems with police response capability.

5. Peace of mind
You’re not just relying on a siren, you’ve got a monitored system with an escalation process behind it.

Enhance Your Security

Police response intruder alarms are designed to make sure real threats get real action, not just a sounding siren.

With stricter controls now in place to reduce false alarms, professionally monitored and compliant systems are more important than ever – especially for businesses and higher-risk properties.

If security matters, this level of protection adds a serious extra layer of reassurance.

Get in touch to request a quotation or discuss your requirements.

Solar panels are a great way to generate clean energy – but they pose serious risks during emergencies. Knowing how to “stop” solar panels during a fire is critical, because even when inverters or isolators are switched off, panels can continue generating electricity whenever exposed to light. This means systems can stay live, creating hazards for firefighters, maintenance teams, and anyone working nearby.

This is where PVSTOP come in, helping to safely de-energise panels when it matters most.

As the Northern Ireland distributor for Britannia Fire, we supply PVSTOP as a practical and effective way to reduce these risks.

Why Are Solar Panels Dangerous During a Fire?

One of the biggest misconceptions is that solar PV systems can be fully switched off in an emergency, but that’s not always the case.

Even when inverters or isolators are turned off, panels exposed to daylight will still produce DC voltage. This means systems can remain live, leading to:

• Electrical shock risk – live DC components remain energised
• Arc flashes and burns – especially if cables are damaged
• Firefighting complications – crews must treat systems as live
• Maintenance risks – unsafe working conditions during faults

Because of this, stopping solar panels during a fire isn’t straightforward using conventional methods alone. While isolators can stop power flowing into a building, they don’t stop panels generating electricity while exposed to light.

This is the key issue that solutions like PVSTOP are designed to address.

How PVSTOP Works

PVSTOP is a light-blocking liquid polymer that is sprayed directly onto solar panels.

Once applied, it forms a dry, peelable coating that:

• Blocks sunlight instantly, stopping electricity generation
• Reduces electrical risk for emergency responders and engineers
• Creates a safer working environment during fire or maintenance
• Can be easily removed without damaging the panels

By cutting off the light source, PVSTOP effectively de-energises the system at the panel level.

Key Benefits of PVSTOP

• Immediate reduction in solar panel voltage
• No damage to PV modules
• Quick and simple to deploy
• Suitable for rooftops and large-scale arrays
• Performs reliably in all weather conditions

Who Needs Solar Panel Shutdown Solutions?

PVSTOP is particularly useful for:

• Fire and rescue services
• Facility and property managers
• Solar PV operators and maintenance teams
• Electrical contractors working on live systems

Especially in environments where systems cannot be fully isolated.

Important: PVSTOP Is Not a Fire Extinguisher

It’s worth being clear – PVSTOP is not designed to extinguish fires.

Its purpose is to reduce electrical hazards by stopping solar panels from generating power, making firefighting and maintenance operations safer.

PVSTOP is the only solar safety solution to achieve ISO 14034:2016 Environmental Technology Verification, with independent testing confirming effectiveness. The technology has been operationally validated by major fire services worldwide, including London Fire Brigade (LFB), Fire Department New York (FDNY), and Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF).

PVSTOP Supply in Northern Ireland

We supply PVSTOP across Northern Ireland, supporting businesses, contractors, and emergency services with both product access and guidance.

If you need a safe way to manage live solar panels during emergencies or maintenance, get in touch for more information or a quote.

Following the success of our Responsibility to Protect Conference on 25th March 2026, our CEO Angela Bennett shares her thoughts on the event.

“This week’s Responsibility to Protect conference reinforced something I’ve been reflecting on for some time – the expectations around both fire safety and security are changing, and the bar is being raised across the board. What stood out most wasn’t just the quality of discussion, but the shared recognition that protecting people requires more than compliance. It requires competence, accountability, and systems that perform when it matters most.

Events like the Grenfell Tower fire and the Manchester Arena bombing have fundamentally changed expectations. They have shown, in the starkest possible terms, what happens when systems, decisions or protections fall short. These are very different types of incidents – but the outcome is the same: lives lost where people should have been safe. If there is anything we can do, collectively, to reduce the risk of that happening again, then we have a responsibility to act.

What was most encouraging throughout the day was the willingness in the room to engage with these realities – openly and honestly. There was a clear recognition that raising standards is not about doing more for the sake of it, but about doing the right things, consistently and well. That is where real progress will be made – and it is a conversation we all have a role in continuing.

There are so many people I want to thank for the success of our conference.

Firstly, to Rob McConnell who understood my vision for the event and encouraged me to think big. We partnered with the fantastic team at ICC Belfast | Waterfront Hall | Ulster Hall – Charlie McCloskey, Cáit Colhoun and David Hopkins were a pleasure to work with. And to the wider ICC team working behind the scenes – operations, AV, catering – thank you for delivering everything so seamlessly. The Studio was transformed into a fantastic space for our event.

We wouldn’t have had such an interesting and informative conference without a line up of incredible speakers. Figen Murray OBE, Lucas Vezza Obrien, Ronnie Megaughin, Ian Moore OBE JP, T. Chief Superintendent Mark Roberts QPM, Jason Patton, Sam Glacken, Neil Voce FInstSCE, Nick Cox, Richard Fogelman, Andy Spence, Ollie Jones, and Gavin Skelly FCIOB MIConstM aFA – you are all brilliant and we are united in our commitment to keeping people safe. Thank you for your time, effort and inspiration.

Our conference host – Donna Traynor– well what can I say. A true professional and someone who elevated this event to the next level. I look forward to working with you and Ronan again.

Thanks also to David O’Donan for his piece in the Belfast Telegraph, and to Richard Morgan for discussing the event with Figen on BBC Radio Ulster.

To my team at Diamond – special mention to Conor who has been working tirelessly on this event for over 4 months. I could not have done this without Conor. Thanks to Steve, Ian and Paul for their support on the day, as well as my friend Michelle who is an adopted member of Team Diamond, and was there by my side on Wednesday to do whatever was needed (including make up touch ups!)

Thank you to our co-sponsors Uptick and to our wonderful exhibitors Eurotech, Britannia Fire, Nimbus Connect, Ambient System, Ping, EHS International, and NI Safety Group.

Grateful to David Woods at Bag of Bees Design for branding support, as always knowing exactly what I want.

And to our photographer Ricky Parker – thank you for capturing the energy and moments of the day so perfectly. The images will help us share the impact of this event far beyond the room.

This event would not have happened without introductions made at many, many networking events over recent years. Don’t ever let anyone tell you networking is a waste of time. I am grateful for all my connections made through organisations including Fire Aware, Women in Security, Women in Fire Safety, the FIA, the Fire Safety Event, The Security Event, IoDNI, NI Safety Group, and Natural Resilience. What starts with a handshake and a conversation over a coffee can lead to a great many things in business.

Feeling very thankful that our delegates found the event informative and useful. More people will be kept safe by the learning that happened in the room.

To everyone who attended – thank you for showing up and being part of this. Events like this only work because of the people in the room.

But this is just the beginning – the conversation doesn’t stop here.

Let’s keep the momentum going.”

Angela 

You can view all the event images here: https://rickyparkerphotography.pic-time.com/-2026DiamondEvent