Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025
It isn’t true. The 200-individual threshold brings a far wider range of organisations into scope than most realise.
Where the Misconception Comes From
The scope test is simple:
Does your premises have a primary use listed in Schedule 1 of the Act?
Is it reasonable to expect 200 or more individuals on site from time to time?
If the answer to both is yes, you’re in scope, whether your premises is an arena, a village church, a primary school, or an independent pub.
What 200 Individuals Actually Looks Like
For most people, 200 feels like a low number once the staff-plus-visitors calculation is done. Consider:
- A village church. Ten regular staff or volunteers, plus 195 congregants at a Christmas Eve service. In scope.
- A primary school. 20 staff, 180 pupils, plus parents attending an assembly or sports day. In scope.
- A mid-sized pub. 8 staff behind the bar and on door, 200 customers on a cup final evening. In scope.
- An independent retail premises. 5 staff, 200+ customers on a peak trading day. In scope.
- A community hall. 2 staff, volunteers, plus attendees at a regular event that peaks over 200. In scope.
The premises doesn’t have to be large. It has to reach 200 individuals, from time to time, from a Schedule 1 primary use.
Why “From Time to Time” Catches More Premises Than Expected
The phrase deliberately isn’t “on average” or “every day.” It means: is it reasonable to expect 200 or more at some point? If yes, and that happens regularly (even once a year), the threshold is met.
For many smaller premises, this is the crucial detail. A school hall that only hits 200+ during a single annual event is still in scope. A pub that only hits 200+ on a handful of match days per year is still in scope. A place of worship that only hits 200+ at Christmas or Eid is still in scope.
Why It Matters to Prepare Now
Smaller premises often assume the Act isn’t aimed at them, and delay preparation on that basis. Enforcement penalties, however, will apply to in-scope premises regardless of size. And the preparation work takes time: procedures, training, exercising, and evidencing.
Smaller teams doing it alone typically underestimate the time required. A purpose-built platform shortens that runway significantly.
Still Not Sure?
The fastest way to know is our free Am I in Scope? tool. A handful of questions, a clear answer, no account needed.
If you already know you’re in scope, Get Started with Prova Risk to prepare your public protection procedures, train your staff, and keep the evidence you’ll need if inspected. £399 per year per site.
