SIA marks first 'National Day for Victims and Survivors of Terrorism' — but don't mistake it for new law

The Security Industry Authority (SIA) has put out a joint statement to mark what it calls the UK’s inaugural National Day for Victims and Survivors of Terrorism, held on 21 August 2026. It’s a solemn moment of acknowledgement — but worth being clear-eyed about what it is and isn’t.

What the SIA actually said

The statement, signed by SIA chair Mike Cunningham and chief executive Michelle Russell, is exactly that: a statement. It pays tribute to people killed or injured in terrorist attacks, and to bereaved families, and credits years of campaigning by survivors and relatives for getting this day established. There’s no announcement of new powers, new funding, new inspections or new rules for businesses buried in it. It’s a commemorative gesture from a regulator, not a regulatory action.

Where Martyn’s Law fits in

The statement does namecheck Martyn’s Law, describing it as “forthcoming” and framing it as something that “will reinforce protective security and preparedness in premises and events across the UK.” That’s the closest thing to a substantive claim in the release — but note the tense. As of this statement, Martyn’s Law is still described as coming, not already in force, and the SIA doesn’t give a date, threshold detail, or enforcement timeline in this piece. Anyone reading the statement looking for confirmation that new legal duties on venues have kicked in won’t find it here; this document simply reaffirms that the law is on its way and that the SIA expects to have a role enforcing it once it lands.

Who is actually affected by this

Practically speaking: nobody’s legal obligations change because of this statement. It’s not a circular to security firms, venue operators or licence-holders telling them to do anything differently. The “day” itself is a national commemoration — akin to other days of remembrance — rather than a compliance deadline. Victims, survivors and bereaved families are the people this is squarely about, and the point of the day, per the SIA, is that it exists because of sustained campaigning by exactly those groups to have their experiences formally recognised.

For everyone else — event organisers, security staff, the public attending gigs, festivals or shopping centres — the operative development to actually watch remains Martyn’s Law itself, once it’s confirmed in force with a start date and scope. That’s the bit with teeth: obligations on premises to plan for and respond to terrorist threats. This statement doesn’t give you that detail; it gives you the direction of travel.

The bottom line

This is a regulator marking a new day of remembrance and using the moment to restate its support for incoming counter-terrorism legislation — nothing more, nothing less. There’s no new checklist for venue operators to action today, no fresh guidance published alongside it, and no enforcement change. If you run a premises or event and want to know what Martyn’s Law will actually require of you, that detail will need to come from the law’s own implementation guidance when it’s confirmed — this statement isn’t it. For now, treat 21 August as what the SIA says it is: a day of acknowledgement, not a regulatory deadline.