Martyn's Law for churches: what your church needs to do

Updated 26 October 2026. Guidance, not legal advice.

Churches and other places of worship get special treatment under Martyn's Law: almost all of them stay out of the demanding enhanced tier, however large they are. But many churches will still be covered, often because of weddings, funerals, festivals or groups that hire the building.

What is Martyn's Law?

Martyn's Law is the common name for the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025. It's named after Martyn Hett, who was killed in the Manchester Arena attack in 2017, and follows years of campaigning by his mother, Figen Murray. It became law on 3 April 2025, and the Home Office published its final statutory guidance on 15 April 2026.

Places of worship have sadly been targeted by terrorists, in the UK and abroad. The aim of the law is that the people running a building already know how they'd keep everyone safe if the worst happened.

Does it apply to our church?

It applies if it is reasonable to expect that, from time to time, 200 or more people could be in the building at the same time, counting worshippers, visitors, clergy, staff and volunteers.

Think about your busiest occasions

• Christmas and Easter services, carol concerts and crib services
• Large weddings and funerals
• Civic, school or remembrance services
• Concerts, festivals and other events in the building

If any of these regularly bring 200 or more people, your church is likely to be covered, even if a normal Sunday is much smaller.

Halls and lettings count too

If you let your church or church hall to groups whose events bring in 200 or more people, that can bring the building into scope even if your own services never reach that number. If your church hall is a separate building, you may need to look at it separately. The official guidance explains how to treat more than one building on the same site.

Why the tier matters

Other venues holding 800 or more people move into the enhanced tier, which brings much heavier duties. Places of worship stay in the standard tier however large they are. The exception is a small number of places of worship that charge tourists for entry or hire the building out for large commercial events. If that sounds like your church, check the official guidance carefully.

Who is responsible?

The duty falls on the "responsible person", meaning whoever controls the building. Who that is depends on your denomination and how the church is governed. It's usually the body that manages the building, such as the parochial church council (PCC), the managing trustees or the church's trustees.

If your church isn't the main user of the building, for example where you meet in a school or community centre, the main responsibility is likely to sit with whoever runs that building. If in doubt, ask your diocese, district or denominational office, as many are preparing their own advice.

What the standard tier asks you to do

1. Tell the regulator

You'll need to notify the Security Industry Authority (SIA) that your church is covered, and say who the responsible person is. The SIA's online notification service is expected to open in early 2027.

2. Have procedures for four situations

• Evacuation: getting the congregation out and away from danger. Large old buildings often have few exits, so know them well.
• Invacuation: bringing people inside, or into a safer part of the building, when the danger is outside. The vestry or a side chapel may be the obvious place.
• Lockdown: securing doors to stop someone getting in. Heavy historic doors and old locks can be slow, so check how long it actually takes.
• Communication: how the person leading the service or event tells everyone what to do. The PA system or the person at the lectern may be the quickest way.

3. Brief the people on duty

Welcomers, sidespeople, stewards, vergers, wardens and whoever leads a service should know the procedures. A short written briefing they can read in a few minutes works far better than a long policy no one opens.

The law doesn't strictly require a written document, but the official guidance recommends one.

Weddings, funerals and visiting groups

On big occasions many people in the building won't know it. A few simple habits help:

• Make sure at least one person on duty knows the procedures, even when the usual team isn't there.
• Give visiting clergy, funeral directors and event organisers a one-page sheet: exits, which doors lock, where the keys are, and who to call.
• Add a line to your hire or booking forms asking groups to read the church's emergency briefing.

What happens if we don't comply?

The SIA expects to start with advice and support rather than fines. It can issue compliance notices, and for standard tier premises the maximum fines are £10,000, plus up to £500 a day for continuing failures.

A simple timeline for your church

• Now: raise Martyn's Law at the next PCC or trustees' meeting. Decide whether you're likely to be covered and who will lead.
• Before Easter 2027: walk round the building, write the procedures and brief your welcome team and wardens.
• Early 2027: notify the SIA once its service opens.
• Spring 2027: the duties are expected to come into force.

Free help and official guidance

• ProtectUK: the official home of the Martyn's Law guidance.
• Your diocese, district or denominational office. The Methodist Church and the Evangelical Alliance have both published guides for churches.
• Your church insurer. Ecclesiastical has published a short guide called "Martyn's Law made simple".

This guide summarises the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 and the Home Office statutory guidance as we understand them. It isn't legal advice. If your situation is unusual, check with the SIA, your denomination or a solicitor.