How to Create a Martyn's Law Training Programme: A Step-by-Step Guide for Venue Managers

The UK has experienced 15 domestic terror attacks since 2017, while law enforcement stopped 43 late-stage plots. This reality makes Martyn’s Law training, a significant aspect for venue managers nationwide, in protecting their premises.

The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill, known as Martyn's Law, requires venues with 800+ attendees to put complete security measures in place. These measures demand detailed risk assessments, emergency response plans, and staff training programmes.

Entertainment facilities, retail spaces, museums, and places of worship must follow these regulations. Many venue managers still struggle to develop training programmes that meet the new requirements effectively.

This piece will guide you through creating a reliable training programme that meets Martyn's Law requirements and prepares your staff to protect public safety. Let's explore the vital components you need to know.

Understanding Martyn's Law Requirements

Getting your head around martyn's law training requirements might feel daunting. Here's a simple breakdown of what you need to know.

Key training obligations under the law

The law requires venues to take steps that protect public safety without going overboard. The Security Industry Authority (SIA) will regulate compliance [1]. Every qualifying venue must notify the SIA about their operations and put proper public protection procedures in place.

Standard vs Enhanced tier requirements

The law creates a two-tier system based on how many people a venue can hold:

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Standard tier venues need to focus on:

• Communication procedures

• Evacuation plans

• Lock-down protocols

• Staff training documentation

Timeline for compliance

The government has laid out a clear timeline. After Royal Assent, venues will get at least 24 months to prepare properly [2]. You'll need to:

1. Register with the SIA

2. Develop appropriate procedures

3. Train staff on new protocols

4. Document all compliance measures

The requirements are designed to be "reasonably practicable," which means you can adapt your approach based on your venue's specific needs and resources [1]. This helps smaller venues meet security standards without facing overwhelming burdens.

The SIA will offer guidance and support to help venues understand and put these requirements in place. Their guidance will be simple and won't need special expertise [1].

Assessing Your Current Training Needs

A proper assessment of our security preparedness should come before we start martyn's law training. Let's learn about ways to review and meet our training needs that work.

Conducting a training gap analysis

First, we need to match our security measures with Martyn's Law requirements. The law stresses that training must support procedures that work and take our organisation's capabilities and needs into account [3].

A full picture should include:

• Current staff knowledge and capabilities

• Existing emergency response procedures

• Documentation and record-keeping systems

• Available resources and constraints

Identifying key stakeholders

Different roles need different levels of training. To name just one example, duty managers and front-of-house staff need complete awareness, while general staff might only need protocols for their specific duties [3].

Setting training objectives

Training objectives should line up with the government's approach that values practical implementation over strict requirements [1]. In spite of that, these objectives should ensure that:

1. Staff can respond quickly to evolving situations

2. Team members understand their specific roles

3. Everyone knows the procedures to follow during an incident

4. Documentation meets compliance standards

Without doubt, training programmes work best when they focus on staff readiness rather than module completion [1]. It also helps that almost four in five organisations prefer to access counter-terrorism information through digital services [4].

Ready to build a compliant training programme? Get expert guidance on Martyn's Law implementation here.

Developing Your Training Framework

A martyn's law training framework needs the right components to work properly. Here's how you can build a well-laid-out programme that meets compliance needs and delivers results.

Creating role-specific training modules

You need targeted training modules to start. The law states that training should match specific roles and duties [1]. Your modules should cover:

• Threat identification and risk assessment

• Emergency response procedures

• Physical security measures

• Incident reporting protocols

Establishing assessment criteria

Assessment methods differ, but your criteria must meet regulatory standards. A solid training programme includes:

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Interactive elements keep participants focused and help them learn better [5].

Building a training schedule

Your training schedule should fit operational needs while providing complete coverage. Key elements include:

1. Original training sessions for all staff

2. Regular refresher courses

3. Scenario-based practise sessions

4. Assessment periods

The SHINE platform or similar systems can track employee progress and generate completion certificates [5]. You'll need proper documentation of all training activities.

A good framework supports ongoing learning and growth. Role-specific modules, clear assessment criteria, and a well-laid-out schedule help prepare your staff to handle security challenges effectively.

Do you want to develop a complete training framework that meets compliance requirements? Get expert help with your Martyn's Law training programmes here.

Implementing Effective Training Methods

Want to find the quickest way to train your staff and meet Martyn's Law requirements? Selecting the right approach for your venue can be challenging. We'll help you discover proven training methods that ensure compliance and keep your staff engaged.

Classroom vs online learning options

Practical exercises and simulations

Practical exercises play a vital role in security training. Your staff must be able to "carry out actions that will save lives" [1]. Hands-on training allows teams to:

• Run realistic incident exercises

• Practise pre-planned personnel roles

• Work through threat-specific checklists

• Test emergency response procedures

Simulation exercises help security teams prepare for different scenarios [6]. These exercises boost the effectiveness of emergency plans and processes.

Documentation and record-keeping

A well-organised documentation system shows compliance. Your record-keeping should track:

1. Training attendance and completion

2. Assessment results and certifications

3. Regular progress reviews

4. Refresher course schedules

Records should be available quickly for audits or inspections [7]. A centralised digital system helps manage training records and lets you:

• Generate detailed training reports

• Monitor staff progress

• Maintain certification records

• Track completion rates

Need help with your venue's security training programme? Get expert guidance on implementing training methods that comply with Martyn's Law requirements here.

Measuring Training Success

Key performance indicators

First, we need clear metrics to assess training success. Research shows that staff awareness and training courses work best to improve how prepared organisations are [4].

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Studies point out problems with focusing on numbers instead of quality in counter-terrorism training [8]. We should look at how well staff use their learning in real situations rather than just completion rates.

Staff feedback mechanisms

Numbers tell only part of the story - getting quality feedback from staff is vital. Research reveals a big gap in how we assess counter-terrorism training's effectiveness [8]. Our feedback system has:

• Regular post-training surveys

• Focus group discussions

• One-to-one performance reviews

• Practical assessment sessions

We must use this feedback to make our training better. Studies suggest many training programmes don't connect well with day-to-day operations [8].

Continuous improvement strategies

Like other security measures, our training programme needs constant updates. Research shows many organisations don't deal very well with assessing their counter-terrorism training [8]. We use:

1. Regular Programme Reviews

   • Monthly performance analysis

   • Quarterly content updates

   • Annual complete assessments

2. Evidence-Based Refinements

   • Integration with operational feedback

   • Incorporation of industry best practises

   • Updates based on regulatory changes

Our training programme's success depends on how well it prepares staff for ground scenarios. Data shows good training can reduce terrorism's effect by lowering physical and emotional harm [4]. Regular measurement and updates help keep our training programme both compliant and effective.

Need help with your venue's security training evaluation? We can guide you through setting up measurement strategies that work with Martyn's Law requirements here.

Conclusion

A well-planned Martyn's Law training programme needs careful planning and continuous evaluation. We need to build detailed security measures that protect our venues and visitors.

The success of your programme depends on knowing your venue's specific requirements. You must understand whether you fall under standard or enhanced tier before developing appropriate training frameworks. Documentation, regular assessments, and staff participation are vital parts of maintaining effective security protocols.

Compliance might look challenging at first glance. Breaking it down into smaller steps makes the process straightforward. Get expert guidance on creating your venue's Martyn's Law training programme here. This will help your staff handle security situations better.

Security training means more than just following rules - it creates safer spaces for everyone. Your venue's security measures become more resilient through regular evaluations, feedback from staff, and programme improvements.

References

[1] - https://www.protectuk.police.uk/martyns-law/martyns-law-overview-and-what-you-need-know
[2] - https://homeofficemedia.blog.gov.uk/2024/09/13/martyns-law-factsheet/
[3] - https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/martyns-law-standard-tier-consultation/terrorism-protection-of-premises-bill-standard-tier-consultation-accessible
[4] - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/terrorism-protection-of-premises-bill-2024-impact-assessment/terrorism-protection-of-premises-bill-impact-assessment-accessible
[5] - https://praxis42.com/elearning/martyns-law-protect-duty-security-awareness-training-course/?srsltid=AfmBOopN57aX2wd30ASFwRt0LdHeBYiFANda9WMpyqSWjsz3hFi3J0Hx
[6] - https://www.d4h.com/blog/how-d4h-supports-compliance-with-martyns-law
[7] - https://praxis42.com/elearning/martyns-law-protect-duty-awareness-training/?srsltid=AfmBOor7MlRcXujcN4syAr31HTq8O0cN83QtvHmYhmBWaVmRhN5iXHmh
[8] - https://www.kcl.ac.uk/news/concerns-over-the-quality-and-effectiveness-of-counter-terrorism-training-for-uk-public-places

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