Village halls are at the heart of our community life. Whether they are hosting coffee mornings, playgroups, exercise classes, markets, performances or celebrations, they provide welcoming spaces where people come together.

Like all organisations responsible for public spaces, village hall committees have an important role in keeping those using their buildings safe.

A new piece of legislation, known as Martyn’s Law, has been introduced to strengthen preparedness for terrorist incidents at public premises and events. While the detailed requirements will vary depending on the size and use of a building, now is a good time for trustees and volunteers to start becoming familiar with the legislation.

What is Martyn’s Law?

Martyn’s Law has been developed following the Manchester Arena attack in 2017. The aim is to improve public safety by encouraging those responsible for certain premises and events to consider the risk of terrorism and understand how to respond appropriately in an emergency.

For many village halls, the principles behind the legislation will already feel familiar. Trustees regularly consider health and safety, fire safety, safeguarding and emergency planning. Martyn’s Law encourages organisations to think about preparedness in a similar way.

Does it apply to my hall?

The answer will depend on factors such as the size of your premises and the activities taking place within it.

Some larger community venues and halls hosting significant public events may fall within the scope of the legislation. Other halls may not be directly affected but can still benefit from understanding the guidance and considering their emergency arrangements.

What can trustees do now?

There is no need to panic or rush into changes. Instead, we recommend taking some simple first steps:

• Learn more about the legislation Read the information provided by the SIA and ProtectUK so your committee understands the purpose of the law.
• Review your emergency procedures Make sure evacuation plans, emergency contacts and incident procedures are up to date and accessible.
• Consider volunteer awareness Think about how volunteers and regular hirers would respond if an emergency situation occurred.
• Make use of free resources ProtectUK provides a range of free videos, guidance documents and learning resources suitable for community organisations.

Have your say

The Security Industry Authority is currently running a short survey to help understand how organisations are preparing for Martyn’s Law and what support they need.

This is a valuable opportunity for village halls and community buildings to shape future guidance and ensure that the challenges faced by volunteer-run organisations are properly understood.

Survey deadline: 27 October

Useful resources

SIA Survey: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/t/ZGIHVK/

Understanding Martyn’s Law and the SIA’s role: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/understanding-martyns-law-and-the-sias-role-as-regulator

ProtectUK Resources and Training: https://www.protectuk.police.uk/

Cambridgeshire ACRE will continue to keep village halls informed as further guidance becomes available and will share practical advice tailored to community buildings and volunteer-run organisations.

What should our committee do now?

✅ Read the SIA guidance on Martyn’s Law
✅ Discuss at your next management committee meeting
✅ Review your emergency and evacuation procedures
✅ Complete the SIA survey (where relevant) by 27 October
✅ Visit ProtectUK and explore the free training resources

These simple steps will help your committee understand the legislation and prepare for future guidance.