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GREATER LONDON · ENGLAND

Martyn’s Law in Westminster, London

Westminster contains the heart of the West End, with the largest concentration of theatres in the country alongside Oxford Street, Regent Street and the nightlife of Soho. Leicester Square, Covent Garden and Trafalgar Square attract dense crowds of tourists, shoppers and theatregoers from morning until late at night. Many premises here will fall within the scope of the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025.

Regulator
Security Industry Authority (SIA)
Licensing authority
Westminster City Council
Police force
Metropolitan Police Service
Duties expected
spring 2027

Does Martyn’s Law apply to your venue?

Five quick questions. About a minute. A preliminary check, not legal advice.

2. Is that the main use of the building, or the part of it you control?
Include staff, contractors and volunteers. Count regular busy times, not a one-off you could not expect.
people
4. How many premises?
5. Do you hold events for 800 or more people?

Choose your type of premises to see your result.

A guide only, based on the Act and Home Office guidance. Your tier depends on the full rules, including exclusions and premises within larger premises.

Where the law will bite in Westminster

Venues likely to be in scope include theatres, flagship retail stores, bars, pubs and nightclubs, cinemas, visitor attractions. Areas with a high concentration of qualifying premises include:

  • West End theatres
  • Soho
  • Oxford Street
  • Leicester Square

Any premises in Westminster where 200 or more people can reasonably be present at once needs to prepare, from a single pub to a stadium. Use the free tier checker to see where you stand.

What venues in Westminster need to do

Standard tier (200 to 799 people): have procedures for evacuation, invacuation, lockdown and communication, make sure staff know what to do, and notify the SIA. There is no legal requirement for building works. See the four procedures explained.

Enhanced tier (800 or more): all of the above, plus documented public protection measures provided to the SIA and, for organisations, a designated senior individual. See enhanced tier duties.

The Act applies across England, and the Security Industry Authority (SIA) regulates it. Your council remains your licensing authority, but it is not the Martyn's Law regulator.

Local contacts and support

  • Westminster City Council handles your premises licence. Keep your licence conditions, fire risk assessment and Martyn’s Law procedures consistent.
  • Metropolitan Police Service provides protective security advice through Counter Terrorism Security Advisers.
  • ProtectUK offers free official training, including ACT awareness e-learning. See our guide to free training and resources.

Guides for Westminster’s main venue types

Frequently asked questions

Does Martyn's Law apply to venues in Westminster?

Yes, if your premises qualifies. The law covers premises in Westminster where 200 or more people can reasonably be expected to be present at the same time, and certain events of 800 or more. Premises with 800 or more fall into the enhanced tier, except places of worship, early years settings, schools and further education, which stay in the standard tier.

Who enforces Martyn's Law in Westminster?

The Security Industry Authority (SIA) regulates Martyn's Law across the UK, including Westminster. Westminster City Council is not the regulator for these duties, although your licensing and fire safety obligations still apply.

When do the duties start in Westminster?

The duties are expected to come into force in spring 2027, at the same time across the UK. Existing premises will then have three months to notify the SIA.

Where can venues in Westminster get local security advice?

Metropolitan Police Service can provide counter terrorism protective security advice through its Counter Terrorism Security Advisers, and free training is available through ProtectUK. Report suspicious activity to the police on 999 in an emergency, or through gov.uk/ACT.