Martyn's Law for scout huts and youth centres

Updated 26 October 2026. Guidance, not legal advice.

Scout huts, guide halls and youth centres are often run by volunteers who have plenty to do already. Most small huts will never hold 200 people, so they won't be covered. Larger buildings that host big events or are hired out may well be.

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.

Is your hut covered?

1. How is the building used?

The Act lists the kinds of use it covers. For youth buildings, the relevant ones are:

• Leisure or recreation activities, such as scouting, guiding and youth club sessions, and events like fairs and shows.
• A venue for hire for events or activities, such as parties, classes or other groups using the hall.
• Registered childcare, for example a pre-school or holiday club that has to register with Ofsted. Childcare premises are always standard tier.

The Act says that when deciding whether a building is used by "visiting members of the public", it doesn't matter that access is limited to members or guests of a club or association. So your own young people, leaders and parents all count, not just outside visitors.

2. Could 200 or more people be there at once?

Think of your busiest occasion: a family fun day, a jumble sale, a party booking or a district event. Count everyone, including leaders, helpers and parents. If 200 or more could reasonably be there at the same time, it's likely to be covered. A typical weekly meeting of 30 or 40 won't get you there, but a big annual event might.

Who is responsible?

Whoever controls the building. For a scout or guide group that's usually the group's trustees or executive committee. If your county or district owns the building, or you rent from a church, school or council, it depends on who controls it, so check your lease or licence and speak to them early.

What the standard tier asks you to do

• Notify the SIA that the building is covered and who the responsible person is. Its online service is expected to open in early 2027.
• Evacuation: getting everyone out and to a safe meeting point, with a way of checking every young person is accounted for.
• Invacuation: bringing people in from the grounds when the danger is outside.
• Lockdown: knowing which doors lock, who has keys and how quickly they can be secured.
• Communication: how the leader in charge tells everyone what to do, and how parents will be contacted afterwards.

You'll already have fire and safeguarding procedures, including registers and headcounts. Build on those rather than starting again.

Hirers and open events

• Give every hirer a one-page sheet: exits, keys, meeting point and who to call.
• Add a line to your hire agreement asking hirers to read your emergency briefing.
• For open events, brief every helper on the procedures before the doors open.

Fines and timing

The SIA expects to start with advice and support. 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. The duties are expected to start in spring 2027.

Free help and official guidance

• ProtectUK: the official home of the Martyn's Law guidance.
• Your district or county Scout, Girlguiding or youth organisation, which may publish advice for its buildings.

This guide summarises the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 (including Schedule 1, paragraph 18, on members and guests) and the Home Office statutory guidance as we understand them. Whether a particular building is covered can depend on how it's used, so this isn't legal advice. If you're unsure, check with the SIA or a solicitor.