Policy paper

Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025: The regulator, sanctions and enforcement factsheet

Updated 24 July 2026

This factsheet explains the role of the Security Industry Authority (SIA) in delivering the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act’s regulator function and the sanctions toolkit available to address non-compliance.

The Act establishes the SIA as the regulator. The SIA will seek to support, advise and guide those responsible for premises and events in meeting the requirements of this legislation. Where there are instances of serious or persistent non-compliance the SIA will be able to take enforcement action including compliance notices, monetary penalties and restriction notices. The legislation also includes some criminal offences.

The regulator (the Security Industry Authority)

The regulator will promote public protection by supporting responsible persons to comply with the Act, by assessing information and inspecting premises and events to identify non-compliance, and by bringing non-compliant premises and events into compliance.

The SIA has powers to authorise individuals to inspect premises and events, and to obtain information. It will use these powers to determine whether responsible persons are complying with the requirements of the Act.

The SIA must prepare guidance about how it will exercise its functions, including its enforcement powers, in line with section 12 of the Act.  This guidance will be approved by the Home Secretary before it is published.  

Inspection and information gathering powers

Powers to access premises and events to conduct inspections:

If an authorised inspector wants to visit premises to make enquiries as to how the qualifying premises or event are complying with the Act, the inspector will usually give at least 72 hours’ notice, in writing, to inspect and observe activities.

Where access is required with fewer than 72 hours’ notice, access is denied, or giving notice would defeat the object of entry, the inspector may apply for a warrant to gain access to the premises. 

During an inspection, the inspector can inspect the premises or event; observe activities taking place; view and inspect physical or electronic documents on the premises; inspect any equipment on the premises; require anyone on the premises to provide an explanation of any document relevant to the Act; take copies of any document relevant to the Act; take measurements, photographs or records; and require any person on the premises to assist with the inspection.

An inspector may also be accompanied on their inspection by other individuals to assist with the inspection (e.g. a technical expert to advise on specific security measures, or a police officer). 

Powers to gather information (information notices):

An inspector can issue a notice for the purpose of assessing compliance. The notice may require information relating to security at the premises or event or require a relevant individual to attend an interview.

Sanctions

Where there are instances of serious or persistent non-compliance the SIA can issue a range of civil sanctions including compliance notices, monetary penalties and restriction notices. The legislation also includes some criminal offences.

Civil sanctions

Compliance notices

If the SIA has reasonable grounds to believe that a responsible person has failed, or is failing, to comply with a requirement under the legislation, it can issue a compliance notice. A compliance notice can also be issued to a person whom the SIA has reasonable grounds to believe has failed, or is failing, to meet a requirement to co-operate with a responsible person, so far as is reasonably practicable. A compliance notice requires the person to whom it is given to comply with a specified relevant requirement, within the period of time set out in the notice.

Restriction notices

The SIA can give a restriction notice to the responsible persons of enhanced tier premises or qualifying events. This can be done if the SIA has reasonable grounds to believe that the responsible person is failing, or has failed, to ensure appropriate public protection procedures or public protection measures are in place, and the restrictions required by the notice are necessary to reduce the risk of physical harm to the public arising from acts of terrorism on the premises, at the event or in the immediate vicinity. A restriction notice requires the responsible person to comply with specified prohibitions or restrictions relating to the use of the premises or the hosting of a qualifying event.

Penalty notices

The SIA can issue non-compliance penalties up to a maximum of £10,000 for standard duty premises and £18m or 5% of worldwide revenue for enhanced duty premises or qualifying events. The maximum penalty for failing to comply with a requirement to attend an interview will be £5,000. Where a non-compliance penalty is issued for failing to comply with a compliance or restriction notice, the SIA will also be able to issue daily penalties (up to £500 per day for standard duty premises and £50,000 per day for enhanced duty premises or qualifying events) where non-compliance continues after the date the penalty is payable. When determining the amount of a penalty, the SIA must take into account the effects of non-compliance, mitigating action taken to remedy the non-compliance or its effects, and the person’s ability to pay.

The SIA will be required to notify the affected party before they issue any of the above notices and give them an opportunity to make representations (unless there is an urgent need to issue a restriction notice).

After a notice is issued by the SIA, there is a right of appeal to the Tribunal.

Criminal offences

It is anticipated that penalty notices will be the primary method of enforcement for non-compliance.

Some criminal offences are created by the Act and, in the most serious cases of non-compliance where it is proportionate and in the public interest, the SIA may refer those responsible for prosecution.