Standard duty
Focuses on notification, public protection procedures and proportionate preparedness.
AT A GLANCE
The essentials
The duties are intended to be proportionate to the premises or event. The key distinction is between the standard and enhanced tiers. Thresholds generally include staff and other people present at the same time.
Enhanced duty
Adds documented public protection measures and additional governance requirements.
Regulator
The Security Industry Authority is the regulator identified under the Act.
Implementation update (October 2026): certain preparatory provisions commenced on 10 April and 15 June 2026, including provisions relating to statutory guidance and the regulator. The main duties are not yet in force; the SIA currently expects commencement in spring 2027, subject to confirmation. This page provides general information only: verify scope, exemptions, dates and duties against official guidance.
WHO MAY BE IN SCOPE?
Publicly accessible premises and events
The Act applies to certain premises and qualifying public events; public accessibility alone does not establish whether a site is in scope. A premises is generally considered against three core tests.
01
It includes a building (or part/group of buildings) used for an activity listed in Schedule 1.
02
It can reasonably expect at least 200 individuals, including staff, at the same time from time to time.
03
It is not excluded by Schedule 2.
EXAMPLES MAY INCLUDE
Stadia & venuesSports, entertainment and large gatherings
Retail, markets & hospitalityPremises and events that meet the statutory criteria
Public-facing spacesOnly where the legal scope and exclusions apply
Not every publicly accessible space is covered. Education settings and other specific premises may be subject to different treatment under the Act. Check the legislation and statutory guidance for the exact position.
DUTIES BY TIER
What changes between standard and enhanced?
Both tiers focus on proportionate public protection. Enhanced premises and qualifying events carry additional requirements.
STANDARD DUTY
200–799 people
- Notify the SIA that you are responsible for the premises.
- Have appropriate public protection procedures in place.
- Ensure relevant people understand what to do if an attack occurs.
- Keep proportionate evidence of decisions, briefings and reviews.
Standard-tier duties do not themselves mandate physical security upgrades.
ENHANCED DUTY
800+ people
- Implement appropriate public protection measures where reasonably practicable.
- Document procedures and measures for the SIA.
- Explain how measures reduce vulnerability and risk of harm.
- Where required, appoint a Designated Senior Individual.
Qualifying public events may also fall within the enhanced regime.
PRACTICAL READINESS
Four questions worth asking now
Ahead of the substantive duties taking effect, organisations can review how well their current procedures, evidence and site planning are structured.
01
Understand your site
Review public access, crowd movement, vulnerabilities and relevant threats.
02
Define procedures
Consider evacuation, invacuation, lockdown and communication arrangements.
03
Keep evidence
Maintain proportionate records of decisions, briefings, exercises and reviews.
04
Review when things change
Revisit plans when the site, event, operations or threat picture changes.
OFFICIAL GUIDANCE
Check the latest position before acting.
For definitive scope, commencement dates, statutory guidance and compliance requirements, use the Home Office statutory guidance and the SIA's official Martyn’s Law resources.
SITE PLANNING
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