Schools boost security enquiries ahead of Martyn's Law

Little Green Button has reported a fivefold rise in enquiries from education providers, with more than 200 schools across the UK contacting the company this year.

The increase comes as schools prepare for the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, known as Martyn's Law, which will apply to education settings where 200 or more people are reasonably expected to be on site at one time.

The Norfolk security technology firm said the legislation is prompting schools to review lockdown procedures, evacuation plans and wider emergency response arrangements. Most UK schools are expected to fall within the scope of the new duties.

At the same time, survey findings released by the company point to wider concerns about safety in schools. Research based on responses from 1,206 education professionals across the UK found that 36% believed schools had become more dangerous places to work.

Nearly half of respondents, or 45%, said they had seen pupils being abusive towards staff. Another 34% said they had witnessed parents behaving abusively towards school employees, while 58% said their schools were not prepared for a lockdown or major security incident.

Rising demand

Little Green Button currently supports around 200 schools, universities, colleges and academies across the UK. Founded in 2004, the business said its system is used by more than 100,000 users across more than 2,500 organisations globally.

The company's product is designed to let staff raise alerts discreetly during emergencies so schools can share information quickly and coordinate a response. It is also used in sectors including healthcare, retail and government.

Martyn's Law will introduce requirements for venues and premises to improve preparedness for terrorist incidents. Although enforcement is not expected until early to mid-2027, schools are already assessing what changes may be needed to meet the new standard.

Alex Jay, chief executive officer at Little Green Button, linked the rise in enquiries directly to that work. He said schools were also responding to day-to-day safety concerns as well as the coming legal changes.

He said: "The introduction of Martyn's Law is driving a lot of interest in our technology from schools across the UK. We have seen a lot more enquiries coming in, as schools look to get ahead of the legislation and its requirements, and schools in the region are leading the way on that front.

"While that is encouraging to see, the findings of our recent research show that schools are already dealing with everyday challenges around staff safety, behaviour and the need to respond quickly when issues arise. High-profile lockdown incidents at schools have understandably increased awareness of the importance and role of Martyn's Law, as well as the benefits of proactive emergency communication and preparedness.

"On a more positive note, however, it's great to see more schools actively investing in practical solutions that not only help them communicate quickly and effectively during an emergency, but also help give staff the confidence that they have the right support in place.

"Alongside considering how technology can support faster and clearer communication, my advice to schools, both in response to rising incidents and as they enter a new regulatory environment, is to focus on preparedness: ringfence time to assess risks across their site, and ensure they have a simple, well-understood lockdown plan in place that's tested regularly."

School pressures

The survey results suggest interest in security systems is not being driven only by compliance planning. Concerns about abuse, incident reporting and the speed of communication during emergencies also appear to be shaping how schools review their procedures.

For many education providers, the challenge is likely to extend beyond major external threats to include everyday situations involving staff welfare and on-site disruption. That may help explain why providers are seeking tools that can be used both for serious incidents and for lower-level events that still require a swift response.

Little Green Button started in the healthcare sector before adapting its software for workplaces where staff may face violence, verbal abuse or security threats. In education, that has meant a growing focus on schools, colleges and universities looking to strengthen internal communications during incidents.

The recent level of contact from schools marks a notable increase in interest from the sector. More than 200 schools across the UK have been in touch as they prepare for Martyn's Law and review their emergency arrangements.