A common starting assumption about Martyn’s Law: you need to hire security guards, install CCTV, put up bollards, or buy specific security kit. None of that is required by the Act.

This page covers what the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 actually asks for, and why the “hire a guard” misconception persists.

You do not need to hire a security guard to comply with Martyn’s Law.

The Act doesn’t mandate security guards. It doesn’t mandate CCTV. It doesn’t mandate bollards, vehicle mitigation, metal detectors, or any specific piece of physical security infrastructure.

For Standard Tier premises (200 to 799 individuals reasonably expected), the duties are:

1. Prepare four public protection procedures: evacuation, invacuation, lockdown, communications.
2. Train staff on the procedures.
3. Exercise the procedures.
4. Evidence the preparation.

None of these require a security guard. The procedures are about how your premises and your staff respond to an incident, not about who patrols the entrance.

Enhanced Tier premises (800+ individuals) add public protection measures to the Standard Tier procedures. Measures are physical and operational steps that reduce vulnerability.

Even at Enhanced Tier, the Act does not prescribe specific measures. It requires:

• A documented risk assessment specific to the premises.
• A selection of measures from across deter, detect, delay, defend.
• A documented rationale for the measures chosen.

A specific measure (a guard, CCTV, bollards) may be appropriate for a given premises based on its risk assessment. Another premises might reasonably conclude that different measures are more appropriate. The Act doesn’t hand out a kit list.

Three factors:

1. Public perception of counter-terrorism

Counter-terrorism is often visually associated with security guards, barriers, and surveillance. When Martyn’s Law is reported, the default imagery reinforces the assumption.

2. Industry messaging

Some security vendors have marketed Martyn’s Law in ways that imply their product (guards, cameras, barriers) is required. It’s often not.

3. The word “measures”

“Public protection measures” can sound like “physical security kit.” It’s broader: operational procedures, training protocols, governance structures, and physical infrastructure all fall under measures. Kit is a subset, not the definition.

For Standard Tier premises (the large majority of in-scope premises):

• Procedures. Written for your premises, specific to its layout and operation.
• Training. Records of staff being trained on the procedures.
• Exercise. Records of testing the procedures in practice.
• Evidence. Everything packaged and kept current.

A purpose-built platform covers all four for the cost of a subscription (£399 per year per site for Prova Risk), without any additional staffing or infrastructure.

Martyn’s Law isn’t the only reason to consider professional security. For some premises, a guard is genuinely useful for:

• General entry control during trading hours.
• Late-night licensed premises (often a licensing condition separately).
• Specific events with elevated risk profiles.
• Enhanced Tier risk assessments that identify guards as a reasonably practicable measure.

None of these are Martyn’s Law-driven. They’re other operational decisions. If you already have a guard for separate reasons, that’s fine. If you don’t, Martyn’s Law isn’t a reason to hire one.

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.

• Scope and Tier Structure
• Procedures vs Measures Explained
• What Are Public Protection Procedures?
• Cost Per Premises Under Martyn’s Law