# Dynamic lockdown procedures > Dynamic lockdown helps venues respond as danger changes. Understand lockdown procedures, safe escape, staff roles and practical steps for small venues. Dynamic lockdown means securing all or part of a venue in response to danger, while adapting which areas are secured as the situation changes. Under Martyn’s Law, lockdown procedures concern preventing people from entering or leaving. They must be appropriate and reasonably practicable, with people’s safety guiding the response. ## At a glance - **Purpose**: Delay access and keep people away from danger - **Extent**: The whole venue or selected areas - **Fire safety**: Escape must remain possible - **New equipment**: No standard-tier purchase requirement ## What lockdown means under the Act The Act includes procedures for preventing entry or exit among the four public protection procedures. Home Office guidance describes securing doors, shutters or other available barriers to delay attackers and prevent people moving towards danger. Lockdown may cover the entire venue or only part of it. It may follow invacuation or be followed by evacuation when a safe route becomes available. The venue and event duties are not yet in force; the SIA expects commencement in spring 2027, with no exact date confirmed. [What Martyn’s Law requires](https://wardcote.co.uk/martyns-law) · [What invacuation means](https://wardcote.co.uk/martyns-law/invacuation) ## Dynamic decisions and fixed arrangements The word dynamic emphasises responding to the actual incident. A venue might secure one entrance while keeping a route away from the threat available. It may need to reverse a closure as new information arrives. For planning purposes, a static approach would apply the same closure regardless of changing circumstances. The Act does not create separate dynamic and static categories. Describe precisely what your procedure does, who decides and how it can change. [Evacuation, invacuation and communication procedures](https://wardcote.co.uk/martyns-law/public-protection-procedures) · [Personal safety advice: Run Hide Tell](https://wardcote.co.uk/martyns-law/run-hide-tell) ## Work through the doors and the people Walk around the premises with the people who open, close and supervise it. Discuss public entrances, delivery doors, shared corridors and outdoor areas. Check whether controls are usable by whoever is actually on duty. These are planning prompts, not instructions to approach danger during an incident. No member of staff or volunteer should be expected to cross an unsafe area to reach a lock. - Church: can volunteer stewards communicate across the worship space and other occupied rooms? - Nursery: who supervises children while another adult operates an accessible door control? - Office: how would occupiers co-ordinate with reception and a shared building manager? - Hall or workplace: what happens when the usual keyholder is absent? - Any venue: how will you consider people outside a secured entrance without exposing staff to danger? [School and nursery lockdown procedures](https://wardcote.co.uk/martyns-law/lockdown-procedure-schools) · [Martyn’s Law and offices](https://wardcote.co.uk/martyns-law/offices) ## Protect escape and communicate changes Never use lockdown arrangements that prevent escape from fire. Check any proposed locking or access-control change against the premises’ fire safety arrangements. A lockdown must be capable of changing when fire or another immediate danger makes evacuation necessary. Agree how instructions and an authorised end to lockdown will reach staff and visitors. Include a backup if the usual communication method fails. Staff need to understand the message and the action, rather than simply recognise an alarm. - Identify who can start, adapt and end the procedure. - Check how closures can be reversed safely. - Consider people who cannot hear an announcement or use the usual route. - Include shared occupiers and regular hirers in relevant briefings. ## Test what your venue can actually do Talk through a threat near one entrance, a problem in another part of the building and a need to leave because of fire. Ask the team to explain its choices. Record useful improvements and check the arrangements again after changes. Standard tier does not require a written plan, paid training or a new locking system. Written notes and practice can still help people act consistently. This guide is general information, not legal advice. [Check your venue’s Martyn’s Law tier](https://wardcote.co.uk/check-your-tier) · [Training and practical staff briefings](https://wardcote.co.uk/martyns-law/training) ## Questions ### What is dynamic lockdown? It is an adaptable response that secures all or part of a venue to reduce exposure to danger. Decisions about closures and movement are reviewed as the situation changes. ### Does lockdown mean locking every door? No. A partial lockdown may secure selected areas while allowing movement in a safer direction. The appropriate response depends on the incident and the premises. ### What is the difference between static and dynamic lockdown? A static approach would use a fixed arrangement. A dynamic approach adapts to the unfolding incident. These are planning descriptions, not separate categories of duty in the Act. ### Can lockdown override fire escape arrangements? Lockdown must not prevent escape from fire. Plan how it can be reversed and consider fire safety before changing locks or access controls. ### Do small churches and workplaces need electronic lockdown systems? Martyn’s Law does not require equipment purchases at standard tier. Check whether the premises are in scope, then consider appropriate procedures using the people and controls available. ## Sources - [Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2025/10/pdfs/ukpga_20250010_en.pdf) - [Home Office statutory guidance](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-terrorism-protection-of-premises-act-2025/terrorism-protection-of-premises-act-2025-statutory-guidance) - [Home Office standard duty requirements factsheet](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/terrorism-protection-of-premises-act-2025-factsheets/terrorism-protection-of-premises-act-2025-standard-duty-requirements-factsheet) - [ProtectUK: evacuation, invacuation, lockdown and protected spaces](https://www.protectuk.police.uk/advice-and-guidance/risk/evacuation-invacuation-lockdown-protected-spaces) - [ProtectUK: developing and testing lockdown procedures](https://www.protectuk.police.uk/tactic-rb3-ensure-lockdown-procedures-are-known-tried-and-tested) - [Government fire safety guidance for small and medium places of assembly](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fire-safety-risk-assessment-small-and-medium-places-of-assembly/fire-safety-risk-assessment-small-and-medium-places-of-assembly-accessible) - [SIA role and implementation timetable](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/understanding-martyns-law-and-the-sias-role-as-regulator) ## Related - [What is invacuation?](https://wardcote.co.uk/martyns-law/invacuation) - [Lockdown procedures for schools and nurseries](https://wardcote.co.uk/martyns-law/lockdown-procedure-schools) - [The four public protection procedures](https://wardcote.co.uk/martyns-law/public-protection-procedures) - [Martyn’s Law security technology: what helps?](https://wardcote.co.uk/martyns-law/security-technology) --- Source: https://wardcote.co.uk/martyns-law/dynamic-lockdown · Last reviewed 2026-10-16 · Wardcote, venue and event security. General guidance, not legal advice.