The UK’s terror threat level has been lowered from ‘severe’ to ‘substantial’, Home Secretary Priti Patel has said.
There are five terror threat levels in the UK. The threat level for the UK from international terrorism is set by the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC). A separate threat level from Irish and other domestic terrorism in the UK is set separately by MI5.
In a written statement to Parliament, Priti Patel said;
“The decision to lower the threat level from SEVERE to SUBSTANTIAL is due to the significant reduction in the momentum of attacks in Europe since those seen between September and November 2020. However, the UK national threat level is kept under constant review and is subject to change at any time.
“Terrorism remains one of the most direct and immediate risks to our National Security. SUBSTANTIAL continues to indicate a high level of threat; and an attack on the UK is still likely. The public should continue to remain vigilant and report any concerns to the Police.
“The Government, Police and intelligence agencies continue to work tirelessly to address the threat posed by terrorism in all its forms and the threat level remains under constant review.”
The change was made on Thursday 4 February, according to the Home Secretary. The change in the threat level marks the first time the UK’s terror threat level has been at ‘substantial’ since November 2020, when the threat level was upped to ‘severe’.
The five terror threat levels and their meanings are as follows;
- Low – an attack is highly unlikely
- Moderate – an attack is possible but not likely
- Substantial – an attack is likely
- Severe – an attack is highly likely
- Critical – an attack is highly likely in the near future
The threat levels do not require specific public responses and the public are urged to remain vigilant regardless of the threat level.
