As legislation evolves to reflect the realities of modern public safety threats, businesses and venues across the UK are preparing for the implementation of the Protect Duty, widely known as Martyn’s Law. This upcoming legislation mandates that public venues take proportionate and robust measures to mitigate the risk of terrorist attacks. While physical security will play a critical role, AV technology—particularly digital signage—has emerged as a vital tool in improving situational awareness, response coordination, and visitor safety.
Understanding Martyn’s Law
Martyn’s Law is named in honour of Martyn Hett, one of the victims of the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing. The legislation seeks to improve public security by mandating counter-terrorism training, risk assessments, and emergency preparedness plans for publicly accessible venues. It will apply to a wide range of publicly accessible locations—such as shopping centres, entertainment venues, stadiums, transport hubs, and retail spaces—with a focus on five key requirements:
- Terrorism risk assessments
- Staff training
- Preparedness planning
- Incident response measures
- Clear and effective communication systems
The law introduces two key tiers based on venue capacity:
- Standard Tier (100-799 capacity)
- Enhanced Tier (800+ capacity)
Organisations in both tiers will be required to implement measures that reduce risk and improve response times in the event of an incident.
The Role of Digital Signage in Public Safety
Digital signage plays a crucial role in fulfilling many of these duties, especially around real-time communication and public guidance.
1. Real-Time Emergency Communication
In high-risk scenarios, the speed of communication can save lives. Integrated with emergency alert systems, digital signage networks can be instantly overridden to display urgent messages such as evacuation instructions, assembly point directions, or threat notifications. These dynamic displays are far more effective than static signage, enabling rapid dissemination of accurate, location-specific information.
2. Crowd Management and Wayfinding
During both everyday operations and emergency events, digital signage supports effective crowd control. Strategically placed screens and kiosks can display tailored content based on live footfall data or real-time instructions from a control room. This ensures orderly flow of people, reduces congestion, and mitigates panic in time-criticalsituations.
3. Staff and Visitor Education
A key aspect of Martyn’s Law is ensuring that staff are trained and that the public is informed. Digital signage enables ongoing safety messaging through pre-scheduled content—such as safety tips, what-to-do infographics, and emergency protocol videos—reinforcing preparedness in a visually engaging and accessible format.
4. Integration with Surveillance and Control Systems
Digital signage becomes even more powerful when integrated with broader AV infrastructure, including CCTV, access control, and PA systems. This creates a seamless central command ecosystem, allowing security personnel to push messages to screens based on insights from surveillance feeds or access points. It provides a cohesive and coordinated response across large venues.
5. Accessible, Inclusive Communication
AV solutions can support accessibility by delivering multi-language messaging and visual cues for individuals with hearing impairments. Compliance with Martyn’s Law requires a focus on inclusivity — and signage can play a key role in meeting these expectations.
Future-Proofing for Compliance and Building a Resilient Safety Ecosystem
Martyn’s Law is more than a regulatory requirement—it’s a call to action for creating safer, more resilient environments. As threats evolve, so must the technology and strategies used to mitigate them. Digital signage offers a cost-effective, scalable, and intelligent method of bridging the gap between communication and action.
Digital signage is only one component of a comprehensive AV strategy. At Handy AV, we work with clients to design integrated safety ecosystems — combining LED display solutions, digital displays, public address systems, and sensor-based analytics to create smart, secure environments.
With our cloud-based content management platform, Blue River™, venues can schedule, automate, and override content with full control, from any location. Whether it’s managing daily operations or responding to critical threats, Blue River ensures signage is always mission-ready.
Is your venue prepared for Martyn’s Law?
As Martyn’s Law moves closer to implementation, it’s essential that venues act now to audit their spaces, assess communication channels, and invest in technologies that support rapid response and risk mitigation.
With over 20 years of experience delivering intelligent AV solutions to public and private sector clients, we understand the unique requirements of safety-driven environments. Get in touch with the team at Handy AV to discover how digital signage can support your compliance with Martyn’s Law and beyond.
