What Is Martyn's Law And How Are York Businesses Preparing For It?

Ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes to keep you safe when you’re out at a concert, a restaurant, or a big city event? In York, business owners and people who run local venues have been getting together to talk about exactly that. A new law is on its way, and it’s all about making sure public places are as safe as they can possibly be. An event hosted by the York BID brought everyone together to focus on the future of public safety and the implementation of this important new rule.

The story behind the new safety law

This isn't just any old piece of legislation. It's called the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, but pretty much everyone knows it as Martyn's Law. And there's a very powerful, very human story behind that name. The law is named after Martyn Hett, who was one of 22 people tragically killed in the Manchester Arena attack back in 2017. Since then, his mum, Figen Murray OBE, has been on a mission. She has campaigned tirelessly to make sure that other families never have to go through the same heartbreak. Her goal? To make it a requirement for venues and events to think properly about the risk of terrorism and take sensible steps to prepare for it. At the recent event in York, Figen Murray herself was there to speak. She talked with incredible courage about her son, Martyn, and the fight for change that has defined her life since his death. It was a moment that really hit home for everyone in the room, reminding them that this new law isn't about paperwork; it's about protecting people. It’s a focus on security born from a terrible tragedy, aimed at making the entire city safer.

A powerful message about security and training

Figen Murray’s message to the businesses of York was clear: start preparing now. There’s no need to wait for the final details of the law to be published. The time for change is now, during this implementation period. She said:

“Martyn’s Law is about protecting people. While it’s in its implementation period, it’s time to make sure your business, venue and teams are having these conversations and making adjustments they can now. As we wait for the Home Office to publish guidance on what each venue will be required to do, there are lots of free training courses out there that can help make sure your staff are confident they know what to do if an incident was to occur. Security isn’t a luxury, it’s an essential investment.”

Her point is simple. Getting staff ready and having a plan doesn't have to cost a fortune. There is free training available that can make a huge difference. This proactive approach ensures that when the official guidance arrives, businesses are already on the right track with their safety and security plans.

What the North Yorkshire Police are saying

It’s one thing to hear about a new law, but another to know what it means on the ground. That’s where the local police come in. Inspector Jen Stockwell from the North Yorkshire Police was at the event to offer reassurance and practical support. She explained that the point of Martyn's Law isn't to create fear. It's about building a culture of safety where everyone plays a part.

Inspector Jen Stockwell said:

“Martyn’s Law isn’t about creating fear, it’s about creating a culture of safety, and by working together we can make York a safer place. Having a plan and staff training is key, North Yorkshire Police and the regional dedicated Counter Terrorism Security Advisor are here to help make sure venues are taking the steps necessary for safety.”

She pointed businesses towards some fantastic free resources, specifically the ACT and SCaN training programmes. What are they?

• ACT (Action Counters Terrorism) is training that helps people understand the terrorism threat and what they can do to help.
• SCaN (See, Check and Notify) is all about teaching staff how to spot suspicious behaviour and what to do about it.

Her final piece of advice was something everyone can use: trust your gut. She ended by saying, “If something doesn’t feel right, report it. Safety is everyone’s responsibility.” This simple message underlines the idea that keeping York safe is a team effort. The support is there from the police; businesses just need to reach out.

What York businesses can do right now

So, what are the next steps for venues in the city? The event ended with a clear sense of purpose.

Carl Alsop, the Operations Manager for York BID, was thrilled with the turnout. It showed how seriously local businesses are taking this. He said:

“I was so pleased to see so many businesses and venues in the room - especially venues where they are under the threshold for the change in the law, but still want to do everything they can to keep people safe. I’d encourage businesses to also sign up to our free Counter Terror Training for Businesses we’re running later in October with North Yorkshire Police, so together we can keep York a safe and welcoming city for everyone.”

This really shows the community spirit in York. Even businesses that might not be legally required to make changes are still stepping up. For now, the advice is straightforward. Venues can start with simple things, like doing their own risk assessments or getting staff to complete the free online counter terrorism training. One key bit of guidance is not to rush out and spend money on expensive consultants. The best move is to wait for the official Section 27 guidance from the Home Office before making any big financial commitments. In the meantime, the focus is on education and preparation, with fantastic opportunities like the free counter terror training event coming up in October. It's all about working together to counter any threat and ensure the safety of everyone enjoying the city's events.