Strengthen preparedness with secure communications
Martyn’s Law, formally known as the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, sets out requirements for certain publicly accessible venues to consider terrorism risk and implement proportionate preparedness measures.
Under the current structure, venues with a capacity of 200-799 fall within the Standard Tier, while venues with a capacity of 800 or more fall within the Enhanced Tier. Requirements vary depending on venue size, layout and risk profile.
One consistent operational factor across both tiers is the ability to coordinate staff effectively during an incident.
Communication capability is therefore a practical consideration, not a branding decision.
Why Communication Matters in Practice
Emergency plans typically rely on coordination between security teams, stewards, facilities or estates staff and event control or duty management.
In live environments, common challenges include reduced mobile signal during peak attendance, multiple teams working across different zones or buildings, temporary staff unfamiliar with escalation routes and the delays caused by one-to-one calling.
Professional two-way radio systems address these limitations by providing instant push-to-talk group communication, defined operational channels, clear escalation pathways and control room broadcast capability. Digital DMR systems can also incorporate encrypted channels where operational sensitivity requires it.
Radios do not create compliance. They support coordination.
Standard vs Enhanced Tier – What Changes?
Under the Standard Tier (200-799 capacity), venues are expected to implement reasonably practicable preparedness measures based on risk assessment.
Under the Enhanced Tier (800+ capacity), planning and documentation requirements increase and operational structures are typically more formalised.
Communication requirements scale accordingly. A smaller venue may require straightforward multi-team coordination, whereas a larger, multi-zone venue may require structured channel architecture, defined command flow and, in some cases, encrypted talkgroups.
The appropriate approach is determined by operational need and risk assessment, not by default equipment selection.
Mobile Phones vs Two-Way Radios
Mobile phones remain useful for everyday operations. However, they are not designed for structured, real-time group coordination during high-pressure situations.
Limitations can include network congestion, one-to-one communication only, call connection delays and the absence of defined operational channels.
Two-way radios allow multiple team members to hear the same instruction simultaneously, reducing delay and confusion.
Hiring Radios for Events
Many venues choose to hire radios for seasonal events, sporting fixtures, festivals and concerts or other high-attendance/higher-risk occasions.
Short-term hire enables communication coverage to scale in line with event-specific risk without committing to permanent infrastructure. Channel structures can be configured to reflect the operational layout of the event, whether that includes security contractors, stewarding teams, facilities or event management.
The focus is clarity and ease of use under pressure.
Hire Two-Way Radios for Your EventSupporting UK Venues & Event Operators
Digitall Comms supplies and configures two-way radio systems for event organisers, hospitality venues, education campuses and multi-site operations.
Our approach focuses on operational suitability – coverage reliability, logical channel structure, ease of use for temporary staff and integration with existing security arrangements.
We do not provide legal advice. We support communication capability aligned with your preparedness planning.
Why Digitall Comms?
Digitall Comms specialises in scalable two-way radio hire and supply for high-footfall environments across the UK.
We are a UK-based communication specialist with experience in event and venue operations. We operate as a direct account partner with leading digital radio manufacturers and focus on practical, scalable hire solutions within structured multi-team communication environments.
Our role is simple:
To ensure your teams can communicate clearly when it matters.
FAQs – Martyn’s Law & venue communications
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No. Martyn’s Law does not mandate specific radio brands or models. Instead, the legislation requires venues to have proportionate and effective communication systems suitable for coordinated incident response. The responsibility lies with the venue to demonstrate that its chosen system is reliable, resilient and appropriate to its risk profile.
For many medium and large venues, professional two-way radios are used because they allow instant group communication and operate independently from public mobile networks. The focus is on capability, not brand.
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Mobile phones are useful for everyday operations, but they are not designed for structured emergency response.
In high-impact incidents, mobile networks can become overloaded or unavailable. Calling individuals one at a time slows coordination and increases the risk of miscommunication.
Two-way radios allow immediate broadcast to multiple team members, dedicated security channels, a controlled communication hierarchy and operation without reliance on public networks.
For Martyn’s Law preparedness, many venues use radios alongside mobiles to ensure resilience and speed of response.
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Encryption is not specifically mandated under Martyn’s Law. However, encryption may be advisable where sensitive operational information is being shared, particularly in higher-risk venues or large-scale events.
Encrypted radios prevent unauthorised interception of communications, which may be important when discussing security deployment locations, threat assessments and incident control decisions. The appropriate level of security depends on your venue’s risk assessment.
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Yes. Many venues and event organisers choose to hire radios for seasonal events, festivals and concerts, sporting fixtures, VIP visits and large public gatherings.
Short-term hire allows you to scale communication coverage in line with event-specific risk without committing to permanent infrastructure. This is particularly useful where Martyn’s Law risk assessments identify temporary increased exposure.
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Absolutely. Communication planning should integrate with your existing security arrangements. We work alongside venue managers, event organisers and third-party security providers to define channel structures, programme radios to reflect operational roles, separate stewarding and security groups and establish escalation procedures. The goal is seamless coordination, not disruption to your existing model.
Reviewing Your Communication Setup
If you are reviewing your operational procedures under Martyn’s Law, it makes sense to assess whether your current communication system supports a coordinated response.
We can advise on hire versus purchase, digital and encrypted systems, coverage considerations and channel structure design.
Preparedness depends on clarity, speed and coordination. Communication under pressure should be simple.