The Conservative Group on the London Borough of Hounslow Council urges the Council, local schools, venue operators, and all organisations across the borough to move quickly to prepare for the implementation of the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025. It is commonly known as Martyn’s Law, and is named in honour of Martyn Hett, one of the 22 people killed in the 2017 Manchester Arena terrorist attack. Martyn’s mother, Figen Murray, campaigned over many years for a new law to better protect the public in the event of a terror attack.
Key facts
· Martyn’s Law received Royal Assent on 3 April 2025. It will place new statutory duties on certain premises and events. These duties aim to improve protective security and organisational preparedness in the face of terrorist threat. gov.uk+3homeofficemedia.blog.gov.uk+3gov.uk+3
· The legislation employs a tiered approach based on the number of people reasonably expected to be on site. For example, premises expecting 200–799 persons may fall within the "standard" tier, and those with 800 or more under an "enhanced" tier, subject to the nature of the venue. In Hounslow, a "standard" tier could apply to local theatres and community halls, while an "enhanced" tier might include larger venues, such as Brentford Stadium. homeofficemedia.blog.gov.uk+1
· For early years, schools and further education settings, there is a special consideration: they will remain in the standard tier even if 800 or more individuals are expected. gov.uk
· The Government intends to allow a minimum implementation period of at least 24 months before the full duties come into force, to give venue operators, educational settings, and other stakeholders time to prepare. However, while 24 months may seem ample, stakeholders should consider the time required for training cycles, budget allocations, and coordinating with various departments. Immediate action and planning will ensure that no time is lost and full compliance is achieved ahead of deadlines. gov.uk+1
Why this matters locally
The Council must ensure that public-facing buildings owned or operated by the borough, such as town halls, civic centres, community halls, and markets, are prepared for the new requirements. Private venues, hospitality businesses, schools, sports stadiums, and other large venues across Hounslow must also be ready for compliance. The Conservative Group believes timely action is essential to protect residents, staff, and visitors and to ensure Hounslow meets its responsibilities under the new law. Failure to act could result in significant consequences where a lapse in preparedness led to both financial penalties and reputational damage following a security breach. The stakes are high, and the costs of inaction could be far-reaching, affecting not just financial stability but also risking public safety and trust.
Call to action from the Conservative Group.
1. Review LBH-owned premises (for example, Chiswick Town Hall, Hounslow House, and other civic venues) to assess current security, evacuation, lockdown, communication, and evacuation arrangements.
2. Engage proactively with all local schools (early years, primary, secondary, further education) to ensure they understand their obligations and timetable for preparation.
3. Work with private hospitality venues (including Brentford Stadium and the Grasshoppers RFC), sports venues (large and small), markets, and community halls to offer guidance, support, and information.
4. Provide clarity on roles and responsibilities (for example, who is the “responsible person” in each venue) as required under the legislation.
5. The Group calls for early engagement, training, and communication for duty-holders across Hounslow. By the end of the implementation period, the borough should be able to demonstrate compliance, readiness, and strong leadership in public safety.
Quote from the Conservative Group Leader, Cllr Peter Thompson
"Martyn’s Law is a landmark measure to strengthen public safety, but laws alone do not keep people safe; leadership does. Residents expect the Council to lead by example, urgently reviewing its own premises, supporting our schools and working with venues and businesses across the borough. As we remember the families affected by past attacks, including the tragic loss of Martyn Hett and others in Manchester, our commitment deepens to ensure such tragedies do not occur again. The Conservative Group will make sure Labour does not drag its feet on public protection and we will hold them to account every step of the way."