Protect Duty in Northern Ireland.

Protect Duty applies in Northern Ireland

The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 is UK-wide legislation. It applies in Northern Ireland on the same basis as in England, Scotland and Wales. If your organisation operates qualifying premises with a capacity of 200 or more, you have the same obligations regardless of where in the UK those premises are located.

This means schools, hotels, leisure centres, councils, community centres, entertainment venues and public spaces across Northern Ireland all fall within scope.

The Northern Ireland context

Northern Ireland has a unique security landscape. Counter Terrorism Policing has assessed that since March 2017 there have been 15 domestic terror attacks in the UK (not including Northern Ireland-related terrorism), and 43 late-stage plots have been disrupted. The threat picture is complex, evolving and enduring.

Organisations in Northern Ireland are already familiar with operating in a heightened security environment. Protect Duty builds on that awareness by placing specific, structured obligations on premises operators for the first time.

Who is affected in Northern Ireland?

Across the Ards and North Down area alone, there are over 100 premises that are likely to fall within scope of the Act, including:

• Over 40 primary schools with capacity exceeding 200
• Grammar and secondary schools including Sullivan Upper, Bangor Grammar, Glenlola Collegiate and Regent House
• Hotels including the Culloden Estate, Clandeboye Lodge and The Old Inn
• Leisure facilities including Aurora Aquatic & Leisure Complex and Ards Blair Mayne Wellbeing Complex
• Large pubs and entertainment venues
• Community centres, civic buildings and arts venues

This pattern is replicated across every council area in Northern Ireland. Thousands of organisations will need to understand their position.

Local advisory from Aegis

Aegis Risk & Decision Advisory is based in Northern Ireland. We are not a London-based consultancy making occasional trips across the water. We live and work here. We understand the local context, the organisations, and the people who lead them.

Our advisory team brings together over 25 years of experience across counter terrorism operations, national security, UK government departments and Critical National Infrastructure — combined with deep knowledge of Northern Ireland’s security landscape.

We offer a free 30-minute consultation to help you understand your position. No obligation, no pressure. Based in Bangor, serving organisations across Northern Ireland and the wider UK.