The introduction of the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, commonly known as Martyn’s Law, marks a significant step forward in improving public safety across the UK. Named in memory of Martyn Hett, one of the victims of the Manchester Arena attack in 2017, the legislation is designed to ensure that venues and public spaces are better prepared to respond in the event of a terrorist incident.
For organisations across hospitality, education, places of worship, visitor attractions and other publicly accessible buildings, the focus is now shifting from understanding the legislation to implementing practical measures that support compliance.
One question that isn’t being asked often enough is this: Can an emergency response plan work effectively if people inside your building can’t communicate?
Martyn’s Law places a legal duty on those responsible for qualifying publicly accessible premises to consider the risk of terrorism and implement proportionate procedures to protect people. Learn more about the official guidance for Martyn’s Law here.
Depending on the size and capacity of the venue, organisations may be required to:
The legislation deliberately avoids prescribing specific security technologies. Instead, it requires organisations to consider what is reasonable and proportionate for their premises.
While Martyn’s Law does not mandate mobile phone coverage or any particular communications system, effective communication sits at the heart of every emergency response.
During any major incident, organisations need to communicate quickly with:
If communication breaks down, even well-developed emergency procedures become much harder to execute.
Today’s workplaces increasingly rely on mobile technology to support these communications. Staff use smartphones instead of desk phones, facilities teams coordinate through collaboration platforms, and visitors expect to receive information instantly on their own devices.
When indoor mobile coverage is poor, those communication channels may not be available when they’re needed most.
Many of the buildings affected by Martyn’s Law are also those where reliable indoor mobile coverage can be difficult to achieve.
These include:
Modern construction materials, reinforced concrete, energy-efficient glazing, steel structures and complex building layouts can all reduce indoor mobile signal strength. Historic buildings often present their own unique challenges due to thick stone walls and conservation requirements.
As buildings become more energy efficient, they can also become more difficult for mobile signals to penetrate.
The purpose of Martyn’s Law is not simply to meet a legal requirement, it is to improve preparedness and protect people.Reliable indoor mobile connection can support that objective in several practical ways.
Facilities, security and management teams are able to communicate quickly during an unfolding incident, regardless of where they are within the building.
Guests, students, worshippers or customers are more likely to receive emergency alerts, contact family members or access official information if their mobile devices remain connected.
Many maintenance contractors, security providers and cleaning teams now work almost entirely from mobile devices. Reliable connectivity helps ensure they can receive instructions and report incidents without delay.
Improving indoor mobile coverage also delivers benefits long before an emergency occurs, including better customer experience, improved staff productivity, stronger support for hybrid working and fewer communication blackspots throughout the building.
No single technology delivers compliance with Martyn’s Law, and improving mobile signal alone is not a substitute for appropriate risk assessments, staff training or security procedures.
However, communication is a critical part of any emergency response strategy. As organisations review their preparedness, it’s worth asking an additional question:
Can everyone inside the building communicate effectively if an incident occurs?
If the answer is uncertain, indoor mobile connectivity deserves to be part of the conversation.
As organisations across the UK begin implementing the requirements of Martyn’s Law, many will focus on policies, procedures and staff training. Those are essential foundations.
But practical resilience depends on more than documented plans. It depends on people being able to communicate when it matters most.
Reliable indoor mobile coverage won’t satisfy the legal requirements of Martyn’s Law on its own, but it can help organisations deliver the effective communication that underpins a safe, coordinated and proportionate response.
For facilities managers, estates teams and building owners, reviewing indoor mobile connectivity alongside wider emergency planning could prove to be a valuable investment, not only for compliance preparedness, but for the everyday operation of their buildings.
If you’re reviewing your building’s resilience or preparing for the operational challenges associated with Martyn’s Law, Onsite can assess your indoor mobile coverage and recommend solutions that help keep staff, visitors and contractors connected throughout your premises.
Speak to one of our engineers today and get a free desktop quotation.
Mobile Signal Solutions (MSS) is a UK-based installer of Ofcom Compliant mobile telecom equipment used for vastly improving mobile signal levels internally for all commercial and domestic clients across the UK and Europe. We use network grade equipment boosting signals for Vodafone, o2, 3 and EE.
Address: Unit 211, Waterhouse Business Centre, 2 Cromar Way, Chelmsford, CM1 2QE, United Kingdom
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