Martyn's Law: What Your Mosque Needs to Know

Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025

A webinar for mosque committees, trustees and volunteers

Muslim Council of Britain — Security Workstream — 2026

Slide 1: Title

Martyn's Law — What Your Mosque Needs to Know

Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025

A webinar for mosque committees, trustees and volunteers

Slide 2: What is Martyn's Law?

The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 — commonly called Martyn's Law — creates a new legal duty for premises operators to take steps to protect the public from terrorism.

Slide 3: Why This Matters for Mosques

All places of worship are in the Standard Tier REGARDLESS of capacity. This is not optional. It is a legal requirement.

• Every Mosque is In Scope. The Act explicitly includes places of worship in the Standard Tier. It does not matter how large or small your mosque is. If you are a place of worship, you must comply.
• Compliance Deadline: ~April 2027. The Security Industry Authority (SIA) is expected to begin enforcement around April 2027. That gives you roughly one year to prepare. Starting now means you can develop plans calmly rather than rushing.
• It Is About Procedures, Not Hardware. Standard Tier does not require expensive security equipment. It requires written plans, displayed information, and trained staff. If you already have an emergency response plan, you have a strong foundation.

Slide 4: Common Misconception — Capacity Threshold

MYTH

"My mosque only holds 100 people, so Martyn's Law doesn't apply to us."

Earlier drafts of the Bill had a 200+ capacity threshold for inclusion. Some mosques still believe this applies.

FACT

The Act as passed includes ALL places of worship in the Standard Tier.

There is no capacity threshold for places of worship. Your mosque is in scope no matter its size. The 200-person threshold was removed during the legislative process.

Do not assume your mosque is exempt. Places of worship are explicitly Standard Tier regardless of capacity.

Slide 5: Standard Tier — What You Must Do

Four requirements for all places of worship:

1. Documented Procedures — Written plans for evacuation (getting everyone out safely), invacuation (moving to a safe area inside when the threat is outside), and lockdown (securing doors, staying away from windows).

2. Information for Visitors — Display signs or notices explaining what to do in an emergency. These should be visible in the main prayer hall, entrance areas, and any rooms used by the public.

3. Staff and Volunteer Training — Everyone who works or regularly volunteers at your mosque must know the emergency procedures. Training should cover recognising suspicious activity, evacuation, invacuation, and lockdown.

4. No Costly Physical Measures Required — Standard Tier is about procedures and awareness, not hardware. You do not need to install bollards, scanners, or expensive equipment. This is about plans and people.

Slide 6: Enhanced Tier — Does It Apply to You?

Enhanced Tier applies only if you charge admission AND your capacity exceeds 800 people.

Enhanced Tier applies when:

• Your premises has a capacity over 800 people
• AND you charge admission for events
• Both conditions must be met simultaneously
• Enhanced Tier adds physical security measures and a security plan

Most Mosques = Standard Tier Only:

• Mosques that do not charge admission remain Standard Tier regardless of capacity
• Free-to-attend Jumu'ah, Tarawih, and Eid prayers are not ticketed events
• If you are unsure, seek advice from the SIA or your local CTSA (Counter Terrorism Security Adviser)

The vast majority of mosques will only need to meet Standard Tier requirements.

Slide 7: Penalties for Non-Compliance

Standard Tier Penalties:

• Maximum fine: up to £10,000
• Daily penalty: £500/day
• The daily penalty applies for each day a breach continues after the initial fine.

Enhanced Tier Penalties:

• Maximum fine: up to £18 million or 5% of worldwide revenue
• Daily penalty: £50,000/day
• These much higher penalties reflect the greater risk at large ticketed venues.

Criminal Liability: Obstruction of the regulator or providing false information can result in criminal prosecution, not just civil fines. This applies to individuals, not just organisations.

Remember: Standard Tier compliance is straightforward. Procedures, training, and signage — not expensive equipment.

Slide 8: The Good News

If you already have an emergency response plan, you are most of the way there.

What You Probably Already Have:

• Evacuation procedures (fire drills)
• A named person responsible for emergencies
• Some form of emergency contact information
• Volunteers who know the building layout

What You May Still Need:

• Written invacuation and lockdown plans
• Visible emergency information for visitors
• Documented training records
• Regular review and update schedule

What You Do NOT Need:

• Expensive security equipment
• Professional security consultants
• Physical barriers or bollards
• Anything beyond procedures and training

Slide 9: Getting Compliant — Write Your Plan

Step-by-step: what to do first

1. Write your evacuation plan: identify all exits, routes, and assembly points. Consider Jumu'ah and Ramadan crowds.
2. Write your invacuation plan: identify the safest internal area (away from windows and external walls). This is used when the threat is outside.
3. Write your lockdown plan: identify how to secure all external doors quickly. Who does it? How are people notified inside?
4. Assign roles: Incident Lead, Fire Wardens, Communications Lead, First Aiders. Name real people, not just job titles.
5. Display emergency information: put clear, simple signs in the prayer hall, entrance, and other public areas explaining what to do.

Slide 10: Getting Compliant — Train and Maintain

Step-by-step: embed it in your operations

6. Train all staff and regular volunteers. Cover: recognising suspicious activity, evacuation routes, invacuation procedures, lockdown procedures.
7. Keep records of every training session: date, who attended, what was covered. The regulator (the SIA) may ask for evidence.
8. Run a practice drill at least once a year. Include both evacuation (going out) and invacuation (staying in). Note what went well and what to improve.
9. Review your plan annually and whenever your premises change. Update role assignments when volunteers move on.
10. Watch for SIA guidance. The regulator will publish detailed compliance guidance before the enforcement deadline. Update your procedures to match.

Slide 11: What Is Invacuation?

Invacuation means moving people to a safe area INSIDE the building when the threat is OUTSIDE. You use it when leaving could move people towards danger.

When to Invacuate:

• Attack or threat is outside the building
• Police advise staying inside
• Moving outside would increase danger
• Hostile person near exits

How to Invacuate:

• Move everyone away from windows and external walls
• Go to a pre-identified safe room or area
• Lock or barricade external doors
• Stay quiet and wait for the all-clear

How It Differs from Lockdown:

• Invacuation = move to a safe area inside
• Lockdown = secure the building and shelter in place
• In practice they often overlap
• Both keep people inside, away from the threat

Slide 12: Timeline

NOW (2026)

Begin preparing. Write your plans. Start training. Do not wait for the enforcement deadline.

PREPARE (2026–2027)

Refine plans based on SIA guidance when published. Run drills. Keep training records. Display information.

ENFORCE (~April 2027)

SIA begins enforcement. Inspections can happen. Non-compliance means fines and potential criminal liability.

Do not wait. The mosque that starts now will be ready calmly. The mosque that waits will be rushing under pressure.

Slide 13: Free Support Available

• MCB Emergency Response Plan Template: Ready-made emergency response plan template covering 7 threat scenarios, role assignments, and WhatsApp alert procedures. Provides a strong foundation for Martyn's Law compliance.
• ProtectUK (protectuk.police.uk): Free counter-terrorism protective security guidance and e-learning. Includes online training modules that can count towards your Martyn's Law training requirement.
• Counter Terrorism Security Adviser (CTSA): Your local CTSA provides free, confidential site visits and tailored advice. They can help you assess your risks and develop your plan. Contact your local police to be connected.
• MEND Training and Guidance: MEND's "Keeping Your Mosque Safe" guide and their training sessions help mosque committees understand and implement security measures in plain English.
• SIA Compliance Guidance (gov.uk/sia): The SIA (the regulator for Martyn's Law) will publish detailed compliance guidance as the enforcement date approaches. Check their website regularly for updates.

Slide 14: Self-Assessment — Check Your Readiness

Use the MCB Mosque Security Self-Assessment to evaluate your Martyn's Law compliance level:

Good (Safe Start)

• Written evacuation, invacuation, and lockdown procedures exist
• Emergency information displayed for visitors
• At least one person is assigned as Incident Lead
• Basic awareness of Martyn's Law requirements

Better (Well Protected)

• All staff and regular volunteers have been trained
• Training records are kept (dates, attendees, topics)
• Roles are assigned and understood by everyone
• At least one practice drill completed

Best (Leading Practice)

• Plans reviewed annually and after any incident
• Multiple drills per year, including during busy times
• Plan updated to match SIA guidance when published
• Enhanced Tier assessed and addressed if applicable

Slide 15: Questions?

Key Resources

Martyn's Law is about protecting people, not creating burdens. Start now. Start simply. You are already closer than you think.

This webinar is a companion to the MCB Physical Security Guide for Mosque & Community Premises (v1.4, March 2026). Published by the Muslim Council of Britain — Security Workstream.