Enforcement expected spring 2027
Who holds the dutyFor brokersabu@musterlog.co.uk
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Martyn's Law for gurdwaras

Gurdwaras are named in the statutory guidance as places of worship, so they're always standard tier, however many sangat come. Here's what that means for how a gurdwara runs.

Short answer

If a gurdwara can reasonably expect 200 or more people at the same time on its busiest occasion, counting staff and volunteers, it's in scope. Places of worship are always standard tier, even above 800. That means procedures for what to do in an attack, people on duty who know them, and notifying the SIA. Writing the procedures down is recommended. You don't need CCTV, barriers, bag searches or security staff.

What's different for gurdwaras

Count Vaisakhi and Gurpurabs

The test is the busiest occasion you can reasonably expect, sevadars and staff included. A gurdwara that's quiet midweek can pass 200 easily at Vaisakhi, Gurpurabs, Bandi Chhor Divas, weddings or an Akhand Path bhog. If it does, it's in scope.

The langar hall and the kitchen

The darbar sahib, langar hall, kitchen, classrooms and any accommodation all need covering by the same four procedures. A busy langar hall with people seated on the floor needs its own thought for evacuation and for getting everyone's attention quickly.

Open long hours

Many gurdwaras are open from early morning to late at night, with different people in charge at different times. Whoever is on duty at 6am needs to know the procedures as well as whoever runs the Sunday programme.

Sevadars, rotas and languages

Seva is voluntary and the people on duty change all the time. Brief sevadars in the language they're most comfortable with, often Punjabi, and keep a note of who's been briefed and when.

Nagar Kirtan and events off-site

The "always standard tier" rule covers the gurdwara itself, because its main use is worship. Processions through the streets and events at other venues aren't covered by it. Talk to the venue owner, the council and the police about those, as you already do.

Who the responsible person is

Usually the management committee or trustees, whoever has control of the building. Committees change at elections, so write down who specifically holds the work, and hand it over properly when the committee changes.

What to do, step by step

  1. Work out your busiest occasion and whether it reaches 200.
  2. Agree who the responsible person is, by name.
  3. Notify the SIA once the notification process is set out.
  4. Agree the four procedures: evacuation, invacuation, lockdown and communication. Start from the free ProtectUK templates and write them down.
  5. Brief everyone who'd be on duty, and keep a note of who and when.
  6. Walk through them now and then, and review them when the building or the team changes.

The 8-step roadmap covers each of these in more detail, with what the law requires and what's only recommended.

Free help

Look after a gurdwara, or a group of gurdwaras? We're taking on a small number of free pilots with faith networks while the product is built. Talk to us, or see how places of worship are treated in general.

This is a plain-English summary, not legal advice. Governance differs between communities, so establish properly who holds the duty rather than assuming. Musterlog doesn't make anyone compliant, and no product is endorsed by the Home Office or the SIA.

Primary sources: the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 and the statutory guidance.