Public Premises and Events

NPSA has a wide range of protective security guidance products relevant to Public Premises and Events

Last Updated 14 December 2023

Martyn’s Law, as set out in The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Draft Bill, will place a requirement on those responsible for certain Public Premises and Events to consider the threat from terrorism and implement appropriate and proportionate mitigation measures. NPSA has a wide range of protective security guidance products relevant to Public Premises and Events.

Note that as the terrorist threat has evolved in recent years, so too has the terminology used to describe locations where the public may be targeted, from Crowded Places, more recently to Publicly Accessible Locations (PALs) and now Public Premises and Events.

Securing Public Premises and Events

It is important to note that every site, venue or event is different, so mitigations identified as proportionate and suitable for one may not be for another. 

It is also important to recognise that terrorism is just one of many security and safety threats and risks that need to be managed, and it is important to ensure any counter terrorism measures identified and implemented complement (rather than conflict with) other security and safety measures.

It is essential that those with responsibility for public premises and events (including the owners / operators of sites and venues, and the organisers of temporary events) understand the terrorist threat, the risks that poses to the operation of their premises (particularly with regard to the safety of people), and that they then identify and effectively implement appropriate protective security mitigations.

Find out more information about Terrorism and the threat it poses, including on terrorist ideologies and attack methodologies, and guidance on Recognising Terrorist Threats.

Whether you are a senior leader within your organisation or a security manager, click on one of the pages below for a selection of the most relevant guidance:

Public Premises and Events Guidance for Senior Leaders
Public Premises and Events Guidance for Managers Responsible for Security

Further Information

NPSA has also developed guidance on venues and public spaces for local authority planning officers, planning consultants, and facilities managers.

Venues and Public Spaces - Facilities Managers
Venues and Public Spaces - Planning Consultants
Venues and Public Spaces - Planning Officer of Local Planning Authority
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