Ensure your business is prepared for Martyn’s Law
Emergency planning has always been part of running a responsible organisation. Fire procedures, first aid arrangements and evacuation plans are familiar territory for most businesses. Martyn’s Law is bringing another important area into focus: how organisations prepare for and respond to serious security incidents.
The legislation encourages businesses to think beyond physical security and consider how they would manage an incident if it happened today. That includes how staff receive information, who is responsible for communicating instructions and whether existing processes would work under pressure.
For many organisations, that review starts with communication.
What is Martyn’s Law?
The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 introduces new duties for those responsible for certain publicly accessible premises and events. It was developed following years of campaigning after the Manchester Arena bombing and is named in memory of Martyn Hett, who was one of the 22 people killed in the attack.
Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, the legislation has been designed so that the level of responsibility reflects the size and use of a venue.
For many businesses, this won’t mean employing security guards or investing in expensive equipment. Instead, the focus is on having sensible, proportionate procedures in place and ensuring staff know what to do if an incident occurs.
Standard tier premises
The standard tier applies to publicly accessible premises with a capacity of more than 200 people but fewer than 800.
Businesses within this category are expected to put in place straightforward procedures aimed at reducing the risk of harm during a terrorist incident. These measures are intended to be practical rather than burdensome and are based around improving preparedness.
Examples could include:
- Training staff to recognise and respond appropriately during an incident.
- Knowing how and when to lock doors or secure entrances.
- Closing shutters or restricting access to parts of a building.
- Identifying safe places where people can shelter if evacuation isn’t possible.
- Establishing evacuation routes and assembly points.
- Agreeing how information will be communicated to staff and visitors during an emergency.
The emphasis is on ensuring people can act quickly and confidently if they are faced with an unexpected situation.
Enhanced tier premises
Larger venues with a capacity of 800 people or more fall within the enhanced tier and have additional responsibilities.
Alongside the procedural requirements expected of standard tier premises, organisations in this category must also assess how vulnerable their premises are to terrorist threats and, where reasonably practicable, introduce measures to reduce those risks.
Depending on the type of venue, this may include reviewing physical security, access controls, vehicle mitigation, emergency planning and staff training.
Communication is often the weakest link
Many organisations already have emergency procedures written down. The bigger challenge is making sure those procedures can actually be put into action.
If a building needs to be evacuated, or people need to stay exactly where they are, instructions have to reach everyone quickly. Delays of even a few minutes can create confusion, particularly across larger sites or organisations operating from multiple locations.
Email is rarely designed for urgent situations. Mobile phones may be switched off or left on desks. Messaging platforms rely on users noticing notifications among everything else competing for their attention.
A dedicated notification system removes much of that uncertainty by delivering the message directly to users as soon as it is sent.
Where NetSupport Notify fits
NetSupport Notify is designed for situations where information needs to reach people immediately.
Messages appear directly on users’ screens, making them difficult to overlook. Whether the message is advising staff to evacuate, remain inside a building or avoid a particular area, everyone receives the same information at the same time.
The software can also target individual departments, buildings or groups, allowing organisations to send different instructions where appropriate rather than relying on a single organisation-wide announcement.
Although emergency response is a key use case, many customers also use NetSupport Notify for planned maintenance, service interruptions, severe weather updates and other operational communications that need immediate visibility.
Emergency planning isn’t just about legislation
Martyn’s Law has understandably increased interest in emergency preparedness, but the principles apply far more widely.
Power failures, cyber incidents, gas leaks, flooding, major transport disruption and extreme weather can all require organisations to communicate quickly with staff and visitors. In many cases, the ability to provide clear instructions early helps reduce disruption and allows people to respond with greater confidence.
That makes emergency communication an important part of business continuity planning, not simply a compliance exercise.
A good plan is one people can follow
Emergency procedures only work if people know they exist and receive instructions when they need them.
Regular reviews, practical exercises and clear communication processes all contribute to a stronger response. Technology supports those processes by helping organisations deliver consistent messages quickly, but it works best as part of a wider emergency planning strategy.
Martyn’s Law is another reminder that preparation matters. Reviewing communication methods now gives organisations the opportunity to identify weaknesses before they are tested in a real situation.
Supporting a more prepared workplace
Every organisation will take a different approach to meeting its responsibilities, but one objective remains consistent: ensuring people receive timely, accurate information during an emergency.
NetSupport Notify helps organisations communicate instantly across their network, supporting emergency response plans, business continuity procedures and day-to-day operational communications from a single platform.
As businesses continue reviewing their preparedness in light of Martyn’s Law, reliable emergency communication is likely to become an increasingly important part of that conversation.
More resources:
- The Home Office guidance explains who is in scope of the legislation, what the legal requirements are and how businesses should prepare during the implementation period.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/martyns-law-guidance-published-to-help-businesses - The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025: Statutory Guidance
The full statutory guidance covering the scope of the Act, legal duties, qualifying premises and events, and compliance requirements.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-terrorism-protection-of-premises-act-2025