Martyn’s Law security technology: what helps?

Work through how staff would move people, secure relevant areas and communicate. Check the controls and equipment already available. The first improvement may be clearer roles, a usable key arrangement or a message that people understand.

Standard tier focuses on appropriate procedures, so far as reasonably practicable. It does not impose a universal equipment list. The venue and event duties are not yet in force; commencement is expected in spring 2027, with no exact date confirmed.

What Martyn’s Law requiresStandard tier requirements

Judge equipment by the action it enables. An announcement system needs to reach the people using the venue. Door controls need to be usable by the available team. CCTV needs a defined purpose and arrangements for acting on useful information.

ProtectUK’s CCTV guidance recommends establishing the operational requirement before designing the system. That means deciding what you need to observe, the detail required and how images will be used.

• PA or voice announcements: can instructions be understood in noisy and separate areas?
• Radios or phones: who receives messages, and what happens if the usual network fails?
• Locks and access controls: can staff use them safely while preserving escape from fire?
• CCTV: what decision will the images support, and who will review or monitor them?
• Software: does it make procedures and useful records easier to maintain and find?

Planning dynamic lockdownPublic protection communication procedures

Enhanced premises and qualifying events must assess and keep appropriate public protection measures under review, and implement them so far as reasonably practicable. The areas are monitoring, movement, physical safety and security, and security of information.

Measures may involve people, processes or physical equipment. A venue security system is one possible contribution. The required document must explain the procedures and measures and assess how they reduce harm and vulnerability.

Enhanced tier protection measuresAssessment requirements under Martyn’s Law

Ask for a demonstration using your venue’s circumstances. A product that depends on staffing, coverage or skills you do not have may not deliver its intended benefit. Include ongoing operation and maintenance in the decision.

Treat a claim that a product makes a venue compliant as a reason to ask for precise evidence. The supplier should explain which task the product supports and the limits of that support. Responsibility remains with the legally responsible person.

• Which specific problem does this solve?
• Which requirement or recommended practice does the supplier mean?
• Can our staff and volunteers operate it during every relevant session?
• What happens during a power, network or equipment failure?
• What are the installation, subscription, maintenance and replacement costs?
• How will we test the result and review whether it still meets our needs?

Confirm your scope and discuss the procedures before commissioning equipment. Compare any proposed purchase with using, repairing or organising what you already have. Record the reason for a decision where that helps future managers or trustees.

Wardcote is RJS & Partners LLP trading as Wardcote. Its optional standard-tier software costs £99 a year per venue and is free to try. Enhanced-tier and security help is arranged through external partners. Individuals carrying out licensable security activities must hold the appropriate SIA licences. These licences do not accredit Martyn’s Law advice. This guide is general information, not legal advice.

Check your venue’s Martyn’s Law tierWardcote standard-tier software pricingEnhanced-tier assessment support