Martyn’s Law: What is Protect Duty and how will it affect your caravan park?

The tragic events at the Manchester Arena in 2017 deeply affected communities across the UK and continue to shape the way we think about public safety. Martyn’s Law was created in response to that loss, with the aim of helping venues take simple, proportionate steps to protect people. This guide is designed to support you in understanding those responsibilities in a calm, practical and reassuring way.

Caravan parks are places where people come to relax, spend time with family and enjoy a sense of community. With guests, owners, visitors and workers coming and going, your site is a busy, welcoming space, and that’s why safety and preparedness matter.

Martyn’s Law, formally known as the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, introduces new duties for public venues and locations across the UK. It has a simple aim: to make sure organisations take proportionate, practical steps to protect people from the risk of terrorism.

While you may not see your caravan park in the same category as stadiums or shopping centres, the law applies to a wide range of venues where the public gathers, including leisure sites, hospitality settings and visitor attractions. Many parks, particularly those with entertainment venues, clubhouses, cafés or events, will need to follow the new requirements.

In this article, we explore what Martyn’s Law means for caravan park operators, why it’s being introduced, and the practical steps you can take to prepare.

On 22 May 2017, 22 people lost their lives, and more than 1,000 others were injured in the Manchester Arena attack. Among them was Martyn Hett. The tragedy highlighted the devastating impact that terrorism can have on everyday places where people gather to enjoy themselves.

In the months that followed, Martyn’s mother, Figen Murray, expected to see much stronger security measures at public venues. But a year later, when she attended another event in Manchester, she was surprised to find there were no ticket checks or bag searches at the entrance. It felt, in her words, as though what happened that night had already been forgotten.

With the UK’s terrorism threat level currently classed as ‘substantial’, meaning an attack is considered likely, Figen believed that venues needed clearer guidance and responsibilities around safety. While there are rules for things like facilities and food preparation, there is no mandatory requirement for basic security measures.

Determined to make a change, she began campaigning for new legislation to help protect the public. Working alongside Brendan Cox from Survivors Against Terror and Nick Aldworth, former Chief Superintendent at the Metropolitan Police, she launched a movement that has become known as Martyn’s Law.

Martyn’s Law proposed new legislation to keep the public secure when out and about. It won’t stop attacks, but it will reduce opportunities for terrorists and deter them from targeting areas where people congregate. Its goal is not to restrict people from moving about freely. Instead, Martyn’s Law aims to make sure venues do their best to keep visitors safe.

Figen Murray’s campaign was successful. After a public consultation in 2021, the government’s response was a new Protect Duty Act which received Royal Assent in April 2025, with an implementation period of at least 24 months from 3 April 2025. This means duties are unlikely to be applicable until mid-2027 at the earliest.

 So, what is the Protect Duty Act? What does it mean for your caravan park? And how will it affect your insurance?

Before the Protect Duty law, most venues and publicly accessible places weren’t legally required to have basic security measures in place. Outside of certain environments, such as sports grounds or public transport, venues did not have to carry out risk assessments, train staff or put simple protective steps in place.

The law’s purpose is to help protect the public by asking organisations to take proportionate, practical steps to prepare for and reduce the risk of a terrorist attack. This includes improving security awareness, having a clear plan and making sure staff know how to respond in an emergency.

These thresholds sit alongside Schedule 1, which includes leisure, hospitality, visitor attractions and entertainment venues. An organisation is likely to be in scope if the premises fall under one of the categories in Schedule 1 (below), and:

• There are 200-799 people on site at any time (standard duty), or

• There are 800 or more people, on site or there is an event expecting 800+ attendees (enhanced duty)

Schedule 1: Types of premises included:

• Shops

• Food and drink venues

• Entertainment and leisure

• Sports grounds

• Libraries, museums and galleries

• Halls

• Visitor attractions

• Hotels

• Places of worship

• Healthcare

• Bus and rail stations

• Aerodromes

• Childcare

• Primary, secondary and further education

• Higher education

•  Public authorities

Your responsibilities will depend on the number of people due to attend your park:

Standard duty premises (200-799 people)

You’ll need to:

• ·       Let the Security Industry Authority (SIA) know that your premises falls under Martyn’s Law

·       Put clear, simple public protection procedures in place, including how to evacuate, how to lockdown, and how staff can help people on site

• Make sure staff have the right awareness and training to be able to handle these situations

• These steps are easy to implement, and you don’t need to install new security equipment.

Enhanced duty premises and events (800+ people)

As well as following standard measures, people in the enhanced duty bracket will be expected to:

• Put more formal security and monitoring arrangements in place

• Complete a risk assessment, along with your documented procedures, for the SIA

• Appoint a senior individual to take ownership of compliance

These changes should be budgeted for, as the government has said it will not be providing funding. It’s worth remembering, however, that the security measures you put in place to prevent a terrorist attack will also prevent criminal acts and encourage people to visit your venue in the knowledge that you’re taking their safety seriously.

The Security Industry Authority (SIA) will oversee compliance. Their role includes offering guidance as well as carrying out inspections. Penalties can include:

• Civil fines

o   Up to £10,000 for standard duty premises

o   Up to £18 million or 5% of global turnover for enhanced duty premises

• Criminal offences, like failing to comply with notices or providing false information

You don’t need to overhaul everything overnight, but starting to think about it now will make things easier down the line. You could consider:

•        Looking at how your current health and safety processes link to preparedness for security risks

•        Checking which tier – standard or enhanced – your park is likely to fall into

•        Reviewing your risk assessments with terrorism in mind

•        Refreshing staff awareness and training

•        Spending some time getting to know official guidance from ProtectUK and the Home Office

Martyn’s Law introduces new responsibilities designed to help keep people safe. For those who manage a site, these duties may also increase the level of accountability expected. Understanding how these changes interact with Directors’ & Officers’ (D&O) insurance can help provide reassurance that you have appropriate protection in place.

While employer’s liability and public liability policies already include some terrorism cover, these limits are usually much lower. Employer’s liability normally provides £10 million of cover, but terrorism claims are typically capped at a lower amount. Public liability cover often ranges between £2 million and £5 million for any one claim. This means there may still be gaps if an incident involves multiple people or if several parties face allegations at the same time. Your park’s location, particularly if it’s near other businesses or public spaces, may also influence how insurers assess your risk.

Insurers will want to understand the steps you’re taking to meet your duties under the Act. When you arrange or renew your policy, be prepared to show how you’re managing security, training colleagues and planning for emergencies. Demonstrating that you’re taking reasonable, proportionate action will help make sure you have the right level of protection in place.

Questions you can expect will include:

• How many people gather at your caravan park?

• What properties are close to yours?

• How accessible is your park?

• What security measures do you have in place?

• Do you use external safety advisers?

Sources

1. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2025/10/introduction

2. https://www.protectuk.police.uk/martyns-law

3. https://www.protectuk.police.uk/martyns-law/martyns-law-overview-and-what-you-need-know
   https://homeofficemedia.blog.gov.uk/2025/04/03/martyns-law-factsheet/

4. https://www.stallardkane.co.uk/what-the-terrorism-protection-of-premises-act-2025-means-for-your-business/

The information contained in this document is for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal or other professional advice.  The links are provided in this document are for your reference and to assist you.  Please note that Stallard Kane is not responsible for the content of any linked site.  Should you have any queries we recommend you consult your professional adviser for legal or other advice.