Yesterday we attended the Essex Association of Local Councils‘ Martyn’s Law Conference, and with the day still fresh in our minds, we wanted to reflect on a genuinely valuable event — and to share some kind words from the organisers.
We were proud to sponsor the conference, held at the Ivy Hill Hotel in Ingatestone, and prouder still that our Founder Director, Gary Dean, was invited to speak. The day brought together parish and town councils, local authorities and others responsible for public buildings and community events, all with a shared question: what does Martyn’s Law actually mean for us, and how do we prepare?
Why Martyn’s Law matters for councils
The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 — known as Martyn’s Law, in memory of Martyn Hett, one of the 22 people killed in the 2017 Manchester Arena attack — received Royal Assent on 3 April 2025. It introduces a legal duty on those responsible for certain public premises and events to be better prepared to keep people safe in the event of a terrorist attack.
The Act takes a tiered approach based on the number of people who may reasonably be expected to be present. Smaller qualifying premises fall under a standard duty focused on preparedness and straightforward public protection procedures, while larger premises and events — those where 800 or more people may be present — face enhanced requirements, including considering and reducing their vulnerability to an attack. The Security Industry Authority (SIA) will act as the regulator.
For councils, this is not an abstract concern. Village halls, community centres, leisure facilities, markets, fairs and outdoor events can all fall within scope. The Home Office published its statutory guidance in April 2026, and while the substantive requirements are not yet enforceable — the government will confirm the commencement date in due course — the implementation period exists precisely so that those in scope can understand their obligations and plan ahead. Starting early is far easier than starting late.
What the day covered
The conference was designed to move people from uncertainty to a clear sense of what to do next. Across the day, delegates worked through:
- An introduction to Martyn’s Law — understanding the legislation and whether your premises or events fall within scope
- How to undertake risk and vulnerability assessments
- What to do in the event of a terrorist incident
- The practical next steps towards compliance
- Afternoon workshops that put the learning into action
That final point matters. It’s one thing to understand the legislation on paper; it’s another to translate it into procedures your staff and volunteers can actually follow under pressure.
Emergency communications: the part that’s easy to overlook
Gary’s presentation focused on an area that too often gets left until last: emergency communications in council buildings and at large outdoor events. When something goes wrong, the difference between a calm, coordinated response and a chaotic one usually comes down to whether people can be alerted, directed and reassured quickly — and whether those responsible can communicate with each other and with the emergency services.
That’s the work we care about at Audiebant. Preparedness isn’t only about having a plan; it’s about being able to activate it in the moment, clearly and reliably, whether you’re managing a hall with a few hundred people or an open event spread across a field.
We were delighted that the topic resonated, and grateful for the organisers’ feedback:
“A big thank you to Audiebant, sponsors of our conference, for delivering a very insightful presentation on emergency communications in council buildings and at large outdoor events. Their expertise sparked some great discussion on improving public safety and preparedness.”
Those conversations — about what “reasonably practicable” looks like in a real village hall, or how a small council with limited resources can still be well prepared — are exactly why events like this are worth attending.
Where to go from here
If you’re part of a council, local authority or government body, the sensible time to get to grips with Martyn’s Law is now, during the implementation period, rather than as deadlines approach.
You can book a free 30-minute introductory call with Gary to talk through where your premises or events might sit within the legislation and what preparedness could look like for you: book a call with Gary.
For regular insights and updates on the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, follow Gary Dean on LinkedIn.
Our thanks again to the Essex Association of Local Councils for organising such a worthwhile day — and to everyone who joined the conversation. We look forward to continuing it.
