A Core Principle of Martyn’s Law
The requirement to take reasonable and proportionate measures is at the heart of Martyn’s Law.
This principle ensures that the law remains practical and adaptable across a wide range of venues and events.
Rather than prescribing specific solutions, it asks organisations to think carefully about their environment and take sensible steps to improve safety.
What Reasonable Means
Reasonable measures are those that a sensible person would expect in a given situation.
They should be:
- Practical and achievable
- Relevant to the type of venue or event
- Based on an understanding of risk
- Capable of being implemented consistently
This approach is consistent with other areas of UK safety legislation, where decisions are based on what is reasonably practicable.
What Proportionate Means
Proportionate measures are those that match the level of risk.
This means:
- Smaller venues may require simpler controls
- Larger or more complex environments may require more structured approaches
- Measures should scale with crowd size and operational complexity
The aim is not to apply the same solution everywhere, but to apply the right level of control.
What the Law Is Not Asking For
It is important to be clear about what Martyn’s Law does not require.
It does not expect:
- Extreme or excessive security measures
- High-cost infrastructure in all environments
- Planning for every possible scenario
Instead, it focuses on practical, sensible preparation.
Further guidance can be found on ProtectUK:
https://www.protectuk.police.uk
Applying This in Practice
In real terms, this might include:
- Clear entry processes
- Defined roles and responsibilities
- Staff awareness and training
- Simple procedures for escalation
The exact measures will vary depending on the venue or event.
Conclusion
Reasonable and proportionate measures are about balance.
They allow organisations to improve safety in a way that is practical, effective, and suited to their environment.