Understand what Martyn’s Law means for your premises and how your gates, barriers and access controls can support your emergency plans.
Martyn’s Law will introduce public protection duties for certain premises and events across Scotland and the rest of the UK. If your site has controlled entrances, preparing means understanding how those systems would operate during an emergency.
Automated Access Control can help you review existing access equipment, identify faults and discuss suitable repairs, improvements and maintenance. Based in Carluke, we work across Lanarkshire, Glasgow, Edinburgh and the Central Belt, with coverage throughout Scotland.
Understanding the Legislation
Martyn’s Law is the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, also commonly referred to as the Protect Duty. It is named in memory of Martyn Hett, who was killed in the Manchester Arena terrorist attack in 2017.
The legislation received Royal Assent on 3 April 2025. It aims to improve how certain premises and events prepare for terrorist attacks and protect people if an attack happens at the site or nearby.
The Security Industry Authority (SIA) currently expects the duties to come into force in spring 2027, with the exact date still to be confirmed. Reviewing your arrangements now gives you time to understand the requirements and prepare.
Which Premises & Events Are Affected?
Whether Martyn’s Law applies depends on the use of the premises, the number of people reasonably expected to be present at the same time and the relevant exclusions. That number includes staff and is not simply the building’s advertised capacity or annual visitor total.
Standard Tier
Generally qualifying premises expecting 200 to 799 people at the same time. The focus is on appropriate, reasonably practicable public protection procedures.
Enhanced Tier
Generally qualifying premises expecting 800 or more people at the same time, plus qualifying events. Additional duties cover protective measures and documentation.
Shops, restaurants, hotels, sports and leisure venues, visitor attractions and public buildings may fall within scope where the criteria are met. Childcare, primary, secondary and further education premises, and places of worship have special rules: qualifying premises with these uses remain in the standard tier even when 800 or more people are expected. Qualifying events also have specific conditions, including public access and entry checks.
Once the duties come into force, those responsible for premises or events in scope will also need to notify the SIA. Use the official Home Office guidance to establish what applies to your premises.
The standard tier does not require equipment purchases or physical alterations to put procedures in place. Any recommended equipment work should reflect the needs of your particular site.
How Automated Access Control Can Help
We supply, install, maintain and repair access equipment across Scotland. We can discuss a technical review of your installed systems and agree the checks appropriate to your equipment and concerns.
An access system review may include:
- Normal operation and the agreed emergency operating modes.
- Manual release mechanisms and authorised access to emergency controls.
- Behaviour during a loss of power or communications, including relevant backup arrangements.
- The relationship between vehicle access, pedestrian routes and emergency-service access.
- Interfaces with other systems, considered with your fire and security advisers.
- Equipment condition, developing faults and planned maintenance requirements.
We can then discuss repairs, servicing or equipment changes to support the arrangements agreed for your premises.
How access controls relate to emergency procedure
Martyn’s Law identifies four types of public protection procedure. The arrangements need to be appropriate to your premises and reasonably practicable to put into action:
- Evacuation: moving people out of the premises, or part of it, and away from danger.
- Invacuation: moving people to a safer area within the premises, which may include bringing them inside from outdoors.
- Lockdown: securing all or part of the premises to control entry and exit in response to the threat.
- Communication: giving staff and visitors clear information and instructions.
Your gates, barriers and doors may affect how these procedures work. Emergency operating modes, release mechanisms and routes for people who need assistance should be coordinated with your venue’s security and fire-safety arrangements.
Commercial Gates and Traffic Barriers
A secure vehicle entrance needs an agreed emergency response. We can review how your commercial gates and barriers are operated, how authorised staff use manual release mechanisms and what happens if the equipment fails or loses power.
Vehicle controls should be considered alongside pedestrian routes and access for emergency services.
Pedestrian Access Systems and Automatic Doors
Turnstiles, speed gates, pedestrian barriers and automatic doors help manage entry. Their behaviour during an emergency also needs to be understood, including release arrangements and suitable alternative routes.
We can discuss the installed equipment with your responsible team and review operation alongside the venue’s evacuation, accessibility and security arrangements.
Bollards and Vehicle Protection
Where a security assessment identifies a vehicle threat, appropriately specified impact-rated bollards or vehicle security barriers may form part of the response. Product ratings, foundations, spacing and the complete installation all need to suit the assessed threat and site conditions.
Standard car park barriers and ordinary traffic bollards should not be assumed to provide the same protection. Ask us about the equipment options relevant to your site
Servicing, Repairs and Force Testing
Your emergency arrangements depend on equipment working as intended. Planned servicing provides an opportunity to check controls and release mechanisms, identify wear and address developing faults.
AAC provides repairs, servicing, maintenance and force testing for relevant systems. Force testing checks aspects of automated gate operating safety; it does not establish wider Martyn’s Law compliance.
Common Questions
Yes. The legislation applies across the UK. Whether your premises or event is covered depends on its use, attendance and the other conditions in the Act.
There is no universal requirement to replace equipment. Existing systems can be reviewed, and any recommended work should follow an identified need. The standard tier focuses on procedures.
Yes. Tell us what gates, barriers, doors or access controls you have and the concerns you want to address. We can agree an appropriate technical scope with you.
The responsible person for the premises or event retains the legal responsibility. AAC supports the access-equipment element; wider legal and counter-terrorism planning should involve suitably knowledgeable advisers where needed.
Request an Access System Review in Scotland
Tell us about your premises, the equipment you have and what you want to review. We will discuss the next step and agree the scope and availability of any visit. Request an Access System Review
Call: 0800 772 3941
If a gate or barrier has failed now, call our team for repair assistance. We will advise on the earliest available attendance.
Official Guidance
For the current legal requirements, read the Home Office statutory guidance and the ProtectUK Martyn’s Law resources.
Legal information last checked 5 October 2026.