The Big Question: Martyn’s Law – a challenge for insurers and their clients?

The Manchester Area attack on 22 May 2017 saw a lone bomber access the arena and detonate an explosive device as crowds were leaving. It killed 22 people with many more suffering serious injuries. The attack prompted calls for greater security at event venues and has resulted in the creation of the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act, known as Martyn’s Law, named after Martyn Hett, a victim of the Manchester attack.

It aims to put into place clear steps to protect those in venues of all sizes.

The Act establishes a tiered approach, with varying requirements for premises and events based on their capacity. Premises with a capacity of 200 to 799 individuals are subject to simple, activities like locking doors and identifying safe routes. 

Larger premises and events with a capacity of 800 or more individuals are required to implement more rigorous risk assessments and advanced security measures, such as monitoring and physical barriers.

The Act applies to various venues, including entertainment and leisure venues, retail spaces, food and drink establishments, museums, sports grounds, public areas of government buildings, and visitor attractions. 

After receiving royal assent in April 2025, the government has indicated at least a 24-month implementation period before it comes fully into force. However, while there is a deadline and a broad idea of what will be required the detail still remains elusive.

Ian Summers, Global Business Leader, AdvantageGo.

Rose MacLachlan, Underwriter in the war, terrorism and political violence team at Markel International says while two years may seem like a significant period the lack of details in terms of the act will be implemented continue to create a degree of uncertainty for businesses and their insurers.

While the issues around climate and geopolitical risks have dominated an increasing part of the industry’s focus, political violence and terrorism have not gone away,” she explains. “While much of the attention remains on the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, in the UK we are facing a changing risk environment.

“In Britian recent years have highlighted the threat we face from lone wolf attacks. These are people who are not working in a group or cell but simply have been looking on social media or online and have decided they want to act.”

MacLachlan continues: “It poses real difficulty for the security services. There is no cell which will be required to communicate and we increasingly see these attacks on what could be described as deliberately soft targets.

“The new act aims to make venues more proactive around increasing resilience against terrorists attacks, but at present while we have been given a 24 month deadline for implementation there is still much that needs to be confirmed to allow businesses to put the necessary systems in place.”

She adds: “Larger venues which will be hosting 800 or more visitors will need to have comprehensive strategies in place. The law will cover any venue which holds 200 customers of more. It will likely include a large number of pubs and bars; all of which will need to comply.

“The rules also cover educational establishments, so universities, colleges and schools will need to understand what they are required to do and ensure that the necessary procedures are in place.”

MacLachlan adds businesses will not only have to put physical steps in place but also ensure all staff are aware of what they need to do to keep clients and customers safe.

“It is a difficult situation, given the nature of the threat we currently face,” she adds. “In the past with threats such as those from the IRA, it was a case of look to target specific sites and often with explosive devices with warnings given.

“Now we have lone wolves, which makes it so much more difficult for security services to identify the threats as there is all too often little or no communication that the assailant is planning any attack.

“We have seen this in the United States where armed assailants have targeted schools, shopping centres and religious buildings. These terrorists are looking for soft targets, and it does bring in smaller venues.”

She cites the attack on pubs and restaurants in Borough Market on 3 June 2017 as a case in point whereby the assailants’ targets were smaller venues with random victims.

“It brings in the need for new insurance coverage for area such as loss of attraction,” MacLachlan adds. “While the industry can and has reacted to the changing nature of political violence and terrorism risks, we can also work closely with third parties to deliver intelligence to clients if and when there are heightened risks of attack.”

The big concern however will be the need for businesses to be ready for when Martyn’s law comes into force.

“We know that the new law is coming, and we understand the need for greater protection against attacks,” she concludes. “What businesses need to understand is exactly what they will be required to implement to meet the new regulations and as insurers we have a role to play in helping to guide them through the new regulations.”