Access Control and CCTV Services: Martyn’s Law & The 2027 Deadline: Lessons from the Thorpe School Incident

Written by Facility Servicing Group Ltd., 10th April 2026 - 5 min read

Access Control and CCTV Services: Powering Your Business, Securing Your Future - a blog by Facility Servicing Group Ltd

❝ With Martyn’s Law set to become UK law in 2027, we explore what the new security tiers mean for local facilities and how recent events at Thorpe St Andrew High School highlight the need for preparedness.

Introduction

In the world of facility management, legislation often shifts to reflect the realities of the modern world. One of the most significant upcoming changes is Martyn’s Law (officially the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025), which is slated for full enforcement by April 2027.
 
While the law was born from a desire to prevent large-scale terror attacks, its practical application touches on something far more local and immediate: the safety of our children and community in everyday public spaces.
 
The recent, distressing incident at Thorpe St Andrew High School serves as a stark reminder of why preparedness isn't just a "big city" requirement—it’s a local necessity.

What is Martyn’s Law?

Named after Martyn Hett, one of the 22 victims of the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing, this legislation aims to ensure that "publicly accessible locations" are better prepared for and protected from threats.

The law introduces a tiered system based on capacity:
  • Standard Tier (200–799 people): Focuses on low-cost, effective activities like staff training, evacuation, and lockdown procedures.
  • Enhanced Tier (800+ people): Requires more rigorous risk assessments and potentially physical security upgrades.

Crucially for our local community, almost all schools—including primary and secondary—will fall under the "Standard Tier" requirements, regardless of their size.

The Thorpe School Incident: A Case Study in Preparedness

In March 2026, Thorpe St Andrew High School was forced into an emergency lockdown following a stabbing on site. While the situation was terrifying for parents and students alike, the school’s response highlighted the exact protocols that Martyn’s Law seeks to standardise.Reports from the day described teachers moving furniture against doors, students hiding under desks, and the school bell ringing continuously to signal a lockdown. One student noted, "The teachers and all the staff definitely knew what they were doing."
 
This is the "Standard Tier" of Martyn’s Law in action:
  • Invacuation/Lockdown: Moving people to a safer place inside and securing the site.
  • Communication: Alerting everyone on site that there is an active danger.
  • Training: Ensuring staff can act instinctively when the alarm sounds.
While the school's existing protocols were effective, Martyn’s Law will move these practices from "best practice" to a legal requirement, ensuring every facility has a "Responsible Person" and a documented plan.

How Facility Managers Can Prepare for 2027

For those managing schools, community hubs, or commercial premises, the 24-month implementation period (running until 2027) is the time to audit your physical and procedural security.

At Facility Servicing Group, we believe proactive maintenance is the foundation of safety. To meet the upcoming standards, facility managers should consider:

  • Robust Access Control: Are your doors and gates able to be secured instantly? At Thorpe School, the ability to "lockdown" was the primary defense.
  • Integrated Communication: Do you have a system that can alert every corner of a site—from the playing fields to the furthest classroom—simultaneously?
  • Passive Fire & Security Barriers: Ensuring that fire doors and internal partitions are not only compliant for fire safety but are functional for "invacuation" zones.
  • Staff CPD: Utilising free resources like the ProtectUK platform to ensure your team is "ACT" (Action Counters Terrorism) aware.

Securing the Future

The incident at Thorpe School was a local wake-up call. It proved that while we cannot always prevent a threat from appearing, we can control how we respond to it.

Martyn’s Law isn't about creating "fortresses"; it's about ensuring that every public space has the same level of preparedness that saved lives in Norwich this year. As we move toward 2027, FSG is committed to helping our clients navigate these new regulations, ensuring your buildings are not just operational, but safe.

Is your facility ready for the 2027 deadline? 

Contact Facility Servicing Group today for a security and maintenance audit.

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