CCTV, Invacuation And Martyn’s Law: The Impact On Venue Security in the UK

The introduction of the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, more widely known as Martyn’s Law represents a major turning point in how the UK approaches venue security. Following its Royal Assent, the legislation establishes clear expectations for those managing publicly accessible spaces, from retail and hospitality sites to sports arenas and entertainment venues.  

For industrial business owners, it marks a shift from traditional risk management towards a more proactive and legally defined framework for protecting staff, customers, and visitors. 

This article explores what Martyn’s Law means in practice, why CCTV and invacuation procedures are central to compliance, and how investing in cutting-edge CCTV systems from BDI Security Solutions can help your organisation meet its new responsibilities with confidence. 

Understanding Martyn’s Law And Its Relevance to UK Venues 

Martyn’s Law applies to qualifying premises and qualifying events where 200 or more people are reasonably expected to be present at any one time. 

It introduces a tiered framework of duties: 

• Standard tier – for premises expecting 200–799 people. 

• Enhanced tier – for those expecting 800 or more, or events meeting similar criteria. 

Under this framework, responsible persons must adopt public protection procedures, such as evacuation, lockdown, or invacuation and at the enhanced level, these businesses must consider physical security measures like CCTV systems, access control, and vehicle barriers. 

For business owners, this means risk assessments must now go beyond traditional safety concerns. Venues must demonstrate that they’ve taken reasonably practicable steps to mitigate modern threats through effective technology and procedures. 

CCTV’s Role Under Martyn’s Law 

CCTV is specifically identified in Martyn’s Law as an example of an appropriate measure for enhanced-tier venues, but its value extends to all premises. High-quality surveillance supports compliance and resilience in four key ways: 

1. Deterrence – Visible cameras discourage hostile reconnaissance and make venues less appealing to would-be attackers. 

2. Detection – Advanced CCTV can identify suspicious activity, unauthorised access, or unusual behaviour early, allowing for rapid intervention. 

3. Incident Response – In an emergency, CCTV provides real-time intelligence to responders, improving situational awareness and coordination. 

4. Compliance Evidence – Recorded footage demonstrates that proactive protective measures are in place, fulfilling documentation requirements. 

When planning your surveillance setup, consider strategic coverage (entrances, exits, high-traffic areas), integration with alarms or access control, and image quality (HD, low-light, or wide dynamic range). 

Investing in a professional CCTV system from BDI Security Solutions ensures your venue benefits from advanced HD cameras, expert installation, and secure remote monitoring, giving you both visibility and compliance peace of mind. 

Invacuation and Evacuation: Building Effective Procedures 

While technology plays a vital role, Martyn’s Law also emphasises procedural readiness. According to guidance from the National Protective Security Authority (NPSA), venues must plan for a range of scenarios, from terrorist attacks to hostile vehicles or active shooters. 

What Is Invacuation? 

Invacuation (or “safe-in-place”) means moving people to a secure area inside the venue rather than outside. This approach is critical when the external environment poses a greater danger than remaining indoors. 

Your plans should identify: 

• Safe internal zones and assembly points. 

• Staff roles for each emergency scenario. 

• How your CCTV supports invacuation by monitoring safe zones and providing live intelligence. 

• Regular testing through drills and simulations. 

Why It Matters Under Martyn’s Law 

• Standard tier premises must implement documented public protection procedures, including evacuation and invacuation. 

• Enhanced tier venues must also assess vulnerabilities and install physical security systems like CCTV to mitigate identified risks. 

CCTV and procedural planning work hand in hand: surveillance informs the right response, while trained staff carry out the procedure effectively. 

Integrating CCTV and Invacuation for Complete Security 

An effective security strategy blends hardware and human response. Under Martyn’s Law, this integration demonstrates you’ve taken reasonably practicable steps to reduce vulnerability. 

Here’s how it works in practice: 

• Surveillance identifies a suspicious object or person. 

• Security monitoring triggers an invacuation procedure for the affected zone. 

• Occupants move to designated safe rooms while CCTV tracks movements and threats. 

• Communication systems direct staff and visitors safely. 

• Recorded footage supports post-incident reviews and compliance documentation. 

Modern CCTV solutions from BDI Security Solutions can integrate with alarms, access control, and monitoring platforms, providing a connected, intelligent defence network that enhances both real-time response and evidence capture. 

Steps for Business Owners to Take Now 

1. Determine your tier – Assess whether your premises are standard or enhanced under Martyn’s Law. 

2. Appoint a responsible person – Assign someone to lead compliance and planning. 

3. Conduct a full risk assessment – Identify vulnerabilities, crowd movements, and potential threats. 

4. Document your procedures – Clearly outline evacuation, invacuation, and communication plans. 

5. Upgrade your CCTV – Choose reliable, integrated systems with HD imaging and smart analytics. 

6. Train and test your staff – Conduct drills to ensure readiness. 

7. Maintain records – Regulators will expect documentation proving you’ve taken appropriate measures. 

CCTV Solutions For Your Industrial Premises From BDi Security Solutions  

CCTV and venue security planning can be complex, but getting it wrong risks non-compliance and potential harm. Working with a specialist provider ensures your system is designed for full coverage, legal compliance, and operational reliability. 

BDI Security Solutions delivers bespoke CCTV installations tailored to your premises layout and threat profile. Our expert team designs and installs systems using advanced camera technology, network integration and secure monitoring options to keep your staff and visitors safe while meeting the expectations of Martyn’s Law. 

Martyn’s Law marks a fundamental shift in how public venues manage risk. Compliance isn’t just about ticking boxes, it’s about proactive protection. 

By combining well-planned invacuation procedures with advanced CCTV systems from BDI Security Solutions, your organisation can create a safer environment, demonstrate legal diligence and maintain operational resilience in 2025 and beyond. Contact us today to enquire about our bespoke CCTV systems and i-PRO Camera Solutions featuring comprehensive end-to-end solutions for surveillance needs and advanced AI-driven video analytics.