Martyn's Law and Two-Way Radios
What UK Venues Need to Know
Martyn's Law, officially the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, is UK legislation that requires publicly accessible venues and events with a capacity of 200 or more people to have documented procedures in place to protect the public from terrorist threats. The law received Royal Assent on 3 April 2025 and is expected to come into force in Spring 2027 following a 24-month implementation period.
The legislation is named in memory of Martyn Hett, one of the 22 people killed in the Manchester Arena terrorist attack on 22 May 2017. His mother, Figen Murray, campaigned extensively for the introduction of protective security requirements at public venues.
This guide explains what Martyn's Law requires, who it applies to, and how two-way radios can support venues in meeting their communication obligations.
What does Martyn's Law require?
Martyn's Law introduces a legal duty for those responsible for qualifying public premises and events to consider the risk of terrorism and put proportionate protective measures in place. The legislation focuses on outcomes rather than prescribing specific technologies.
Qualifying venues must have documented procedures covering four key areas:
- - Evacuation - safely moving people out of the premises
- - Invacuation - moving people to a safe area within the premises
- - Lockdown - securing the premises to prevent entry or exit
- - Communication - ensuring staff can communicate effectively during an incident
Staff must be trained on these procedures and venues must be able to demonstrate their preparedness to the SIA (The Security Industry Authority).
Who does Martyn's Law apply to?
Martyn's Law operates on a two-tier system based on venue capacity:
Standard Tier (200 to 799 people): Venues that can reasonably expect between 200 and 799 individuals to be present at one time. These venues must notify the regulator and have public protection procedures in place covering evacuation, invacuation, lockdown and communication. Physical security measures are not mandated at this tier, but staff must be trained and plans documented.
Enhanced Tier (800 or more people): Venues and events expecting 800 or more people at one time. These venues face more extensive requirements, including a risk assessment, a detailed security plan, and the appointment of a named senior individual who is personally accountable for compliance. Enhanced tier venues must submit formal documentation to the SIA.
According to industry analysis, 65% of affected sites fall within the retail and hospitality sectors. Other qualifying premises include places of worship, schools, community facilities, sports grounds, theatres, cinemas, shopping centres, and public parks used for events.
Why are two-way radios better than mobile phones for emergency communication?
Mobile phones are the default communication tool for many venues, but they have significant limitations in emergency situations:
• Network dependency: Mobile phones rely on cellular network signal, which can become congested, degrade, or fail entirely when large numbers of people are concentrated in one area. During the Manchester Arena attack, mobile networks in the surrounding area experienced severe congestion.
• One-to-one communication: A phone call connects two people. In an emergency, a venue manager may need to reach 10, 20, or 50 staff members simultaneously. Calling each person individually takes time that may not be available during an evacuation or lockdown.
• Speed: Unlocking a phone, finding a contact, dialling, and waiting for the call to connect takes multiple steps and several seconds. A two-way radio requires one button press to reach the entire team instantly.
• Audio quality in noisy environments: Mobile phone calls in loud, crowded venues are difficult to hear. Two-way radios are designed for high-noise environments with louder speakers and noise-suppression technology.
• No network required: Two-way radios operate on dedicated radio frequencies and do not depend on mobile networks, Wi-Fi, or the internet. They will continue to function even if all other communication networks fail.
For these reasons, two-way radios are widely used by emergency services, event security teams, and venue operators as their primary method of instant group communication.
What type of radio do I need for Martyn's Law compliance?
The right radio depends on your venue size, layout, and budget. There are two main categories to consider:
Licence-free radios (PMR446)
Licence-free radios operate on PMR446 frequencies and do not require an Ofcom licence. They are ready to use straight out of the box with no setup, no paperwork, and no ongoing licence fees. They are ideal for smaller venues within the standard tier (200 to 799 capacity).
Best for: Pubs, restaurants, theatres, community centres, small sports clubs, houses of worship, retail stores, small event venues.
Popular licence-free radios for venues:
Motorola XT420 - A professional-grade licence-free radio with 8 channels, IP55 water resistance, and MIL-STD ruggedness. It is one of the most popular choices for venues and is available in twin packs, quad packs, and six packs for easy team deployment.
Hytera BD505LF - A digital licence-free radio offering clearer audio quality and longer battery life than analogue alternatives. Available in quad and six packs.
Kirisun DP405s - An excellent value digital licence-free option. Compact, lightweight, and simple enough for seasonal or volunteer staff to use without training.
Licensed radios
Licensed radios require an Ofcom licence but offer significantly more channels, greater range, better audio clarity, and advanced features such as encryption, lone worker alerts, and GPS tracking. They are recommended for larger venues, multi-building sites, and venues approaching or exceeding the enhanced tier threshold.
Best for: Large sports grounds, shopping centres, concert venues, exhibition centres, university campuses, multi-building sites, and any venue where reliable coverage across a large area is essential.
Recommended licensed radios for venues:
MOTOTRBO™ R2 - Motorola's latest entry-level licensed digital radio. Part of the new R Series range, it offers more channels, greater range, and better audio quality than previous models. It is an ideal starting point for venues that need more capability than licence-free radios can provide.
MOTOTRBO™ R5 - Motorola's mid-range licensed radio featuring AI-trained noise suppression, 32-hour battery life, built-in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi for remote firmware updates, and IP67 waterproofing. Suitable for larger venues with demanding communication requirements.
MOTOTRBO™ R7 - Motorola's top-of-range professional radio with a full-colour display, advanced encryption, and integration with building management and access control systems. Designed for enhanced tier venues and complex multi-zone sites.
How many radios does my venue need?
The number of radios required depends on the size of your venue, the number of staff on duty, and your communication plan. As a general guideline:
Small venues (200 to 400 capacity): 4 to 8 radios, covering key personnel such as the duty manager, bar/floor supervisors, door staff, and first aiders.
Medium venues (400 to 799 capacity): 8 to 16 radios, extending coverage to section supervisors, backstage staff, and car park attendants.
Large venues (800+ capacity): 16 or more radios, potentially with multiple channels to separate security, operations, and management communications.
The key principle is that every person with a role in your evacuation, invacuation, or lockdown procedure should have immediate access to a radio.
Do I need a licence for two-way radios?
Licence-free radios (PMR446): No licence required. These radios are legal to use in the UK without any Ofcom registration or paperwork.
Licensed radios: Yes, you will need an Ofcom licence. There are two types:
- • Simple UK Light Licence: Covers basic business use for a fixed annual fee. Suitable for most venues.
- • Technical Assigned Licence: Required for more complex radio systems with repeaters or site-wide infrastructure.
Radio Solutions can advise on which licence type is appropriate for your venue and can help with the application process.
Can I hire radios instead of buying them?
Yes. If your venue has seasonal peaks or you want to trial radios before committing to a purchase, short-term hire is available. You only pay for what you need, when you need it, with no capital outlay. Contact us for hire pricing.
How Radio Solutions can help
Radio Solutions has been supplying two-way radios to UK businesses for nearly 30 years. We stock a full range of licence-free and licensed radios from Motorola, Hytera, Kenwood, and Kirisun, with options to suit every venue size and budget.
Whether you need a quad pack of licence-free radios for a small pub or a full licensed radio system for a stadium, we can help you find the right solution.
- • Free delivery on orders over £100
- • Bundle discounts on multi-radio packs
- • Price match promise
- • Same-day dispatch on in-stock items
- • Expert advice from our team on Live Chat, Email and Phone.
Start preparing for Martyn's Law today. Browse our range at radio-solutions.co.uk or call us on 01745 335 811 for a recommendation tailored to your venue.
This article was last updated in August 2026. Martyn's Law (the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025) is expected to come into force in Spring 2027. The information provided is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Venues should seek independent legal counsel regarding their specific compliance obligations.
Social Media Team