What are the penalties under Martyn's Law?

The maximum penalty under Martyn's Law is £10,000 for a standard tier premises, plus a daily penalty of up to £500. For enhanced tier premises and qualifying events, the maximum is £18 million or 5% of qualifying worldwide revenue, whichever is greater, plus up to £50,000 a day.

These figures come from the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 itself, in section 18 and section 19. Councils such as Plymouth quote the same amounts. The Security Industry Authority (SIA) enforces them, and it expects the Act to come into force in spring 2027.

How much are the fines for each tier?

Source: Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, sections 18 and 19, checked 21 October 2026. A daily penalty applies while a breach continues. Section 19 lets the Secretary of State change the daily amounts by regulations.

What counts as a breach?

A penalty follows a failure to meet a duty under the Act. For a standard tier premises, the SIA guidance sets two duties: tell the SIA who your responsible person is, and have appropriate public protection procedures in place, so far as is reasonably practicable. The procedures cover evacuation, invacuation, lockdown and communication.

Enhanced tier premises carry more duties. They also need public protection measures, a named senior individual, and a document about their procedures and measures that they send to the SIA. More duties mean more ways to fall short, which is one reason the maximum is higher.

How does the SIA decide the amount?

The Act gives the process its own sections. The contents page lists them:

• Section 17: penalty notices
• Section 18: maximum amount of a non-compliance penalty
• Section 19: daily penalties
• Section 20: determining the amount of a penalty
• Section 21: penalty notices, contents, procedure, variation and withdrawal
• Section 22: appeals against penalties
• Section 23: recovery of penalties

The figures in the table are maximums. Section 20 covers how the SIA sets the amount in a real case.

Will the SIA come looking for problems?

The SIA says it will use a risk-based approach. Its focus is on whether people in scope have taken reasonable steps to comply. It will typically give at least 72 hours' notice before an on-site inspection.

In practice, a written set of procedures, a named responsible person, a record of staff briefings and a notification sent to the SIA give you something to show. Keep dates on each document.

How do I avoid a penalty without overspending?

For the standard tier, the duties are modest and the guidance is free. ProtectUK says premises "do not need to spend money on consultants to be compliant".

1. Confirm your tier from your realistic busiest number, staff included.
2. Name your responsible person.
3. Write the four procedures and brief staff.
4. Notify the SIA when its portal opens. The SIA plans to test the portal with volunteers from early 2027.
5. Review the plan once a year and after any change to the building.

Some sites buy help, especially enhanced tier premises that need a document and measures. No adviser can certify that you comply or protect you from a penalty. The SIA regulates the duty, and neither the SIA nor the Home Office endorses any company.

What records help if the SIA asks?

The SIA says it will look at whether you took reasonable steps. Records show those steps. Keep these together, with dates:

1. How you worked out your realistic busiest number, staff included.
2. The name of your responsible person and the date you notified the SIA.
3. Your written procedures, with the date of each version.
4. A list of who was briefed or trained, and when.
5. Notes from any rehearsal, and what you changed afterwards.

Next step

Answer six questions in the tier check. You see your likely tier and the duties that the penalties relate to, before we ask for any details.