The conversation is no longer about what the legislation might require, but how to translate it into practical, role-appropriate action.

While organisations have until April 2027 to prepare for the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 (also known as Martyn’s Law), preparedness is not a single activity. It is ongoing and organisation-wide, spanning awareness, procedures, training and capability.

Why training is critical under the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025

A key theme running throughout the guidance is that training needs to be tailored to individuals’ roles and circumstances:

  • Staff with specific responsibilities may require different or additional training
  • Training, learning or instruction should be tailored to the premises and procedures
  • Supervisors and those responsible for activating procedures may require more advanced, role-specific instruction
  • Training should support effective implementation, not just awareness

At the same time, the guidance reinforces that all staff should have a baseline understanding that an attack could occur at any time, what to look out for, and how to respond and report concerns.

This creates a clear expectation of a layered approach to learning – from baseline awareness through to applied capability.

How the Level 3 Award in Counter-Terrorism Protective Security and Preparedness supports organisational training

The Level 3 Award in Counter-Terrorism Protective Security and Preparedness (CTPSaP), developed by SFJ Awards in collaboration with National Counter Terrorism Security Office, sits within this layered approach, with Skills for Justice as an approved training provider.

Whilst completion of the CTPSaP qualification alone does not ensure compliance with the Act, it provides structured, applied learning that supports organisations to interpret and implement its requirements effectively.

The Act establishes the role of the Responsible Person (often referred to as the Responsible Officer) – those with control of premises or events in scope, who are accountable for meeting the Act’s requirements and, where necessary, subject to enforcement.

The statutory guidance supports this role by clarifying key terms used throughout:

  • Must – a legal requirement
  • Should – strongly recommended good practice
  • Could – optional or illustrative

Against this backdrop, many of the “must” and “should” expectations align directly with the knowledge and skills developed through CTPSaP.

Guidance expectation Requirement type How CTPSaP supports this
Ensure appropriate public protection procedures are in place, so far as reasonably practicable Must Unit 1: Introduction to Counter-Terrorism builds understanding of threats, attack methodologies and protecting public spaces
Staff are appropriately trained and understand procedures Should Unit 2: Positive Organisational Security Culture supports embedding awareness, engagement and consistent behaviours across teams
Staff are appropriately trained and understand procedures Must / Should Unit 3: Counter-Terrorism Protective Security covers risk identification, hostile reconnaissance and layered mitigation strategies
Ensure those responsible for procedures can respond effectively Should Unit 4: Counter-Terrorism Preparedness develops planning, response and implementation capability
Document risk assessments and demonstrate how measures reduce harm (Enhanced Tier) Must Units 5 & 6: Risk Assessment and Preparedness Planning / Written Recommendations build structured, evidence-based decision-making and reporting
Avoid a one-size-fits-all approach across multiple sites Should The qualification emphasises contextual decision-making, enabling learners to apply principles to their specific environment

 

Crucially, training should be tailored to both role and operating environment. The CTPSaP qualification builds the capability to apply these principles in practice – further enhanced through sector and organisation-specific delivery.

This aligns directly with Skills for Justice Training’s approach and with the guidance’s recognition that, in some cases, there may be a need for sector-specific training, learning or instruction.

Beyond terrorism: why the legislation matters more broadly

Whilst the legislation is focused on terrorism, its principles extend beyond this to support wider public safety and the development of a positive security culture – reinforcing that this is not a niche concern but one relevant to all public-facing organisations.

Incidents that threaten public safety are not always formally classified as terrorism, but they often require the same level of preparedness, awareness and response capability.

It is easy to assume that such incidents are unlikely or that “it won’t happen to us.” However, the evidence tells a different story.

Information from the Home Office impact assessment highlights that public venues have been targeted by terrorists in the UK and globally for many years. Since March 2017, the UK has experienced 15 terrorist attacks and disrupted a further 43 late-stage plots, demonstrating that a wide range of publicly accessible locations remain potential targets.

This is reflected in the UK’s National Risk Register, where attacks on public places are categorised as among the highest likelihood risks facing the country.

The financial impact alone is significant. The Home Office estimated the direct cost of attacks in the UK in 2017 at £196.4 million (2021 prices) – equivalent to approximately £246.4 million in 2026. While this figure relates to a specific set of incidents rather than an average, it highlights a consistent reality: terrorist attacks carry substantial financial consequences.

But financial cost only tells part of the story. There are, of course, the impacts that cannot be quantified – the profound and lasting effects on victims, survivors, witnesses, and the wider communities affected.

Altogether, this reinforces a critical point: preparedness is not only about compliance with legislation. It is about ensuring organisations are ready to respond effectively to a range of incidents that threaten public safety, whether or not they are formally classified as terrorism.

The statutory guidance, and the evidence underpinning it, challenges the assumption that these risks apply primarily to other organisations or environments, and instead points towards the need for practical, proportionate and role-appropriate preparedness across all public-facing settings.

Why role-specific and environment-specific training matters under the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025

A key implication of the statutory guidance is not just whether organisations train staff, but how that training is delivered in practice. The guidance is explicit: it should be appropriate to role and tailored to environment.

Working in collaboration with Skills for Health and People 1st International as part of The Workforce Development Trust, delivery of the Level 3 Award in Counter-Terrorism Protective Security and Preparedness can be tailored to reflect:

  • Sector-specific environments (health, justice, retail, transport, tourism, hospitality and protective services)
  • Role-specific responsibilities (frontline, supervisory and strategic roles)
  • Organisation-specific procedures and operating contexts

This means delivery reflects both sector context and organisational roles, supporting consistent, real-world capability across teams responsible for safety, security and operational response.

For group or organisational training, delivery can be structured to reflect your operating environment, workforce roles and existing procedures, supporting consistent understanding across teams responsible for safety, security and incident response.

From threat awareness to protective security capability: an end-to-end training approach

The guidance points clearly towards a layered model of preparedness:

  • Baseline awareness for all staff
  • Role-specific instruction for those with responsibilities
  • Applied capability for those leading or implementing procedures

The CTPSaP qualification plays a critical role in that third layer, supporting organisations to build the capability needed to move beyond awareness and into confident application.

Alongside this, Threat Awareness eLearning and bespoke training can support organisations in building consistent baseline knowledge and tailoring learning to their specific context.

Preparing for the Act: practical next steps for organisational readiness

With the statutory guidance now published, organisations have clarity, but also responsibility.

April 2027 may feel distant, but building capability across teams, embedding procedures and ensuring training is appropriate to role and environment takes time.

The most effective organisations will not wait. They will start by asking:

  • What level of awareness do all staff need?
  • Which roles require more advanced capability?
  • How do our procedures translate into real-world action?

From there, the focus shifts from compliance to capability – and from theory to preparedness.

Final thought

The legislation is not about expecting organisations to eliminate risk. It is about ensuring they are ready to respond when it matters most. The Level 3 Award in Counter-Terrorism Protective Security and Preparedness is not a compliance tool, but it is a powerful way to build the knowledge, confidence and practical capability needed to meet that expectation.

Frequently asked questions about the Level 3 Award in Counter-Terrorism Protective Security and Preparedness

What is the Level 3 Award in Counter-Terrorism Protective Security and Preparedness (CTPSaP)?

The SFJ Awards Level 3 Award in Counter-Terrorism Protective Security and Preparedness (CTPSaP) is a qualification designed to provide learners with the knowledge, skills, and understanding of terrorist attack methodologies, how to assess the likelihood of such threats, and the mitigation strategies available to reduce risk.

Following the introduction of the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 (also known as Martyn’s Law), protective security has become an increasingly important professional standard, while organisational preparedness has become a key responsibility. Developed by SFJ Awards in partnership with the National Counter-Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO), this is the only policing qualification endorsed by Counter-Terrorism Policing.

What does CTPSaP stand for?

CTPSaP is the acronym for the SFJ Awards Level 3 Award in Counter-Terrorism Protective Security and Preparedness.

What is the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025?

The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, also known as Martyn’s Law, received Royal Assent on 3 April 2025.

It introduced new legal duties for certain premises and events across the UK to improve security and preparedness against terrorism.

What is Martyn’s Law?

Martyn’s Law is the common name for the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, which requires certain public venues and events in the UK to take proportionate steps to improve security and preparedness for potential terrorist attacks.

Who does Martyn’s Law apply to?

The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 (also known as Martyn’s Law) applies to publicly accessible premises and events in the UK where 200 or more people may be present. It places legal duties on those responsible for these locations – individuals, organisations and companies – with requirements that increase according to venue size and level of risk.

There are two tiers:

Standard Tier (200-799 people) – Publicly accessible premises such as retail, restaurants, entertainment venues, museums, galleries, and places of worship etc.

Enhanced Tier (800+ people) – Larger venues and events in high-capacity crowds.

Does achievement of the CTPSaP qualification make my business, venue or event compliant with the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 (also known as Martyn’s Law)?

No qualification or training on its own will make a venue, site or organisation compliant.

Compliance is about more than this. However, this qualification provides an excellent foundation of knowledge from which organisations can develop a counter-terrorism risk assessment and preparedness plan as outlined in the requirements of Martyn’s Law.

Where and how can learners complete this qualification?

As a registered training provider approved to deliver the SFJ Awards Level 3 Award in Counter-Terrorism Protective Security and Preparedness (CTPSaP), Skills for Justice Training offers this qualification through scheduled learner cohorts.

You can book onto one of our upcoming cohorts now.

Book now

What should organisations do if the terror threat level in the UK is SEVERE?

As of 30 April 2026, the UK National Threat Level was raised to SEVERE. This means a terrorist attack is highly likely.

When the threat level is SEVERE, organisations should move to a heightened state of security, review contingency plans and ensure staff vigilance.

Find out more about how to review your security plans in response to the increased national threat level.

Does my organisation need counter-terrorism training?

Yes, it is highly recommended and, in many cases, mandatory that organisations in the UK undertake counter-terrorism training, especially with the introduction of new legislation like the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 (also known as Martyn’s Law).

For more advice and guidance on counter-terrorism training, please visit Protect UK.

What is the Section 27 statutory guidance?

The Section 27 guidance for the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 (Martyn’s Law) was published in April 2026. It provides mandatory, actionable advice to help duty holders understand and comply with their legal obligations relating to security and public safety at qualifying premises and events.

Does Martyn’s Law apply to churches?

For most places of worship, the government has stated that the requirements are not intended to be onerous or require significant physical investment.

A key consideration is whether it is reasonable to expect that 200 or more individuals may be present at the same time, even if only occasionally. Where this threshold is met, the premises is likely to fall within the scope of the Standard Tier under Martyn’s Law.