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Martyn’s Law Compliance

Practical support for schools and premises preparing for the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025.

What is Martyn’s Law?

Martyn’s Law is the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025. It requires certain premises to take reasonable steps to protect people from the risk of a terrorist attack.

Schools and other education sites may be in scope depending on their size and type of premises. The law focuses on preparedness rather than specific equipment.

What premises typically need to do
Assess the risk, put procedures in place (including lockdown where relevant), train staff, and review arrangements regularly.

How a lockdown system supports compliance

Clear procedures

A dedicated lockdown alert gives staff and pupils a consistent, unambiguous signal that is distinct from the fire alarm.

Faster response

An automated or semi-automated system reduces reliance on verbal instructions alone during an incident.

Documented measures

A system that is designed, installed and tested provides evidence of practical steps taken to protect people.

Working with police and local guidance

Police forces and local authorities provide guidance on protective security for premises, including schools. Martyn’s Law does not replace this guidance — it sits alongside it.

Practical steps schools and other premises often take include:

  • Reviewing police or local authority protective security advice
  • Considering lockdown procedures as part of the overall response plan
  • Ensuring staff know how to contact emergency services
  • Keeping records of measures taken and any liaison with police

RMEC can discuss how a lockdown or security system fits with the procedures you already have or are developing with police guidance.

How RMEC can help

RMEC designs and installs lockdown and invacuation systems for schools across Manchester and the North West. We also provide CCTV and access control that can form part of a wider security approach.

  • School lockdown and invacuation alert systems
  • CCTV systems designed for education premises
  • Paxton access control (registered installers)
  • Integration advice alongside existing fire systems
Free download
Martyn’s Law Compliance Guide (Word document)
Download guide

View our school lockdown page

Discuss Martyn’s Law readiness for your premises

Speak to our team about lockdown systems and practical security measures.

0161 241 0211 Request a Quote

What Martyn’s Law means for schools and premises

Martyn’s Law (the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act) requires certain public venues and premises to have procedures to protect people in the event of a terrorist attack. For schools and many commercial buildings this means having a clear lockdown or invacuation plan and the ability to alert staff and pupils quickly.

A dedicated school lockdown system can sound a distinct alert, lock doors where required, and give staff a simple way to trigger the procedure. We design and install these systems so they work alongside your fire alarm without confusion between a fire evacuation and a lockdown.

How we help

  • Survey the building and agree the lockdown procedure with the school or premises owner
  • Design a system that gives a clear, different alert from the fire alarm
  • Install during school holidays or out-of-hours to minimise disruption
  • Train staff on how to use the system and test it
  • Provide ongoing maintenance so the system remains reliable

See our school lockdown page and the Kelbrook Primary School case study for an example of a combined fire alarm and lockdown installation.