Martyn's Law and Two-Way Radios
Martyn's Law: What UK Venues Need to Know
A plain English guide to the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, and how two way radios help you meet the communication duty.
Martyn's Law 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. It 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 attack on 22 May 2017. His mother, Figen Murray, campaigned for the introduction of protective security requirements at public venues.
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
Making sure staff can communicate effectively during an incident.
Where radios come inStaff 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.
200 to 799 people
Venues that can reasonably expect between 200 and 799 individuals to be present at one time.
- Notify the regulator
- Public protection procedures covering evacuation, invacuation, lockdown and communication
- Staff trained and plans documented
- Physical security measures are not mandated at this tier
800 or more people
Venues and events expecting 800 or more people at one time face more extensive requirements.
- A documented risk assessment
- A detailed security plan
- A named senior individual, personally accountable for compliance
- Formal documentation submitted 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 an emergency.
Mobile phones rely on cellular 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.
A phone call connects two people. In an emergency a venue manager may need to reach 10, 20 or 50 staff at once. Calling each person individually takes time you may not have during an evacuation or lockdown.
Unlocking a phone, finding a contact, dialling and waiting for the call to connect takes several steps and several seconds. A two way radio reaches the whole team with one button press.
Phone calls in loud, crowded spaces are hard to hear. Two way radios are built for high noise environments, with louder speakers and noise suppression.
Radios operate on dedicated frequencies and do not depend on mobile networks, Wi-Fi or the internet. They keep working when everything else fails.
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 suit smaller venues in the standard tier (200 to 799 capacity).
Best for: pubs, restaurants, theatres, community centres, small sports clubs, houses of worship, retail stores and small event venues.
Motorola XT420
A professional grade licence free radio with 8 channels, IP55 water resistance and MIL-STD ruggedness. One of the most popular choices for venues, available in twin, quad and six packs for easy team deployment.
View the XT420
Hytera BD505LF
A digital licence free radio offering clearer audio and longer battery life than analogue alternatives. Available in quad and six packs.
View the BD505LF
Kirisun DP405s
Excellent value digital licence free option. Compact, lightweight and simple enough for seasonal or volunteer staff to pick up without training.
View the DP405sLicensed 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.
MOTOTRBO R2
Motorola's entry level licensed digital radio, part of the R Series range. More channels, greater range and better audio quality than previous models, and an ideal starting point for venues that need more than licence free can provide.
View the R2
MOTOTRBO R5
The mid range licensed radio, with AI trained noise suppression, 32 hour battery life, built in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi for remote firmware updates, and IP67 waterproofing. Suits larger venues with demanding communication requirements.
View the R5
MOTOTRBO R7
The 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.
View the R7How many radios does my venue need?
The number 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
Covers key personnel: duty manager, bar and floor supervisors, door staff and first aiders.
Medium venues, 400 to 799
Extends coverage to section supervisors, backstage staff and car park attendants.
Large venues, 800 and over
Often with multiple channels to separate security, operations and management traffic.
The key principle: everyone 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 with no Ofcom registration and no 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, and suits most venues.
- Technically Assigned Licence. Required for more complex systems with repeaters or site wide infrastructure.
Radio Solutions can advise on which licence type is right for your venue and help with the application. See our full Ofcom licence guide.
Can I hire radios instead of buying them?
Short term hire is available
If your venue has seasonal peaks, or you want to trial radios before committing to a purchase, you can hire instead. You only pay for what you need, when you need it, with no capital outlay.
See hire optionsHow 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 system for a stadium, we can help you find the right fit.
- Free delivery on orders over £100
- Bundle discounts on multi radio packs
- Price match promise
- Same day dispatch on in stock items
- Expert advice on live chat, email and phone
Start preparing for Martyn's Law today
Tell us your venue type and capacity and we will recommend the right setup. Call 01745 335 811.
Related guides
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 here is general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Venues should seek independent legal counsel regarding their specific compliance obligations.
Social Media Team