This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-28986271
The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| UK threat level raised to 'severe' after Iraq and Syria conflicts | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The UK's terror threat level is being raised from "substantial" to "severe" in response to conflicts in Iraq and Syria, Home Secretary Theresa May says. | The UK's terror threat level is being raised from "substantial" to "severe" in response to conflicts in Iraq and Syria, Home Secretary Theresa May says. |
| The new alert level means an attack on the UK is "highly likely", although Mrs May said there was no intelligence to suggest an attack was "imminent". | The new alert level means an attack on the UK is "highly likely", although Mrs May said there was no intelligence to suggest an attack was "imminent". |
| It is the second highest of five possible UK threat levels. | It is the second highest of five possible UK threat levels. |
| PM David Cameron said at least 500 people had travelled from the UK "to fight in Syria and potentially Iraq". | PM David Cameron said at least 500 people had travelled from the UK "to fight in Syria and potentially Iraq". |
| He said Islamic State (IS) extremists - who are attempting to establish a "caliphate", or Islamic state, in the region - represented a "greater and deeper threat to our security than we have known before". | He said Islamic State (IS) extremists - who are attempting to establish a "caliphate", or Islamic state, in the region - represented a "greater and deeper threat to our security than we have known before". |
| New legislation would also be brought in to make it easier to take passports away from people travelling abroad to join the conflict, Mr Cameron said. | |
| National Policing Lead for Counter-Terrorism Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley said security and protection measures were being increased from Friday. | National Policing Lead for Counter-Terrorism Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley said security and protection measures were being increased from Friday. |
| And efforts are currently under way to identify a suspected British jihadist who appeared in IS footage of the killing of US journalist James Foley. | |
| During a news conference at Downing Street, Mr Cameron spoke of the "growing" threat of British people travelling to fight in Iraq and Syria and then returning home. | |
| He said Britain must couple a "firm security response" with an "intelligent political response", but warned the fight against the extremists would last "years and probably decades". | He said Britain must couple a "firm security response" with an "intelligent political response", but warned the fight against the extremists would last "years and probably decades". |
| Mr Cameron did not give extensive details on what the changed threat level would mean, stressing people "should continue to go about our lives in the normal way". | |
| But he said people "might see some changes in terms of policing and the number of armed police". | |
| More steps to deal with the threat will be announced on Monday, Mr Cameron said, adding there were "gaps in our armoury" which needed to be strengthened. | |
| 'Strongest possible action' | 'Strongest possible action' |
| Earlier in a statement Mrs May said: "The increase in the threat level is related to developments in Syria and Iraq where terrorist groups are planning attacks against the West. | |
| "Some of those plots are likely to involve foreign fighters who have travelled there from the UK and Europe to take part in those conflicts. | "Some of those plots are likely to involve foreign fighters who have travelled there from the UK and Europe to take part in those conflicts. |
| "The first and most important duty of government is the protection of the British people. | "The first and most important duty of government is the protection of the British people. |
| "We have already taken steps to improve our powers and increase our capabilities for dealing with the developing terrorist threats we face. That process will continue and the British public should be in no doubt that we will take the strongest possible action to protect our national security." | "We have already taken steps to improve our powers and increase our capabilities for dealing with the developing terrorist threats we face. That process will continue and the British public should be in no doubt that we will take the strongest possible action to protect our national security." |
| She said the UK faced a "real and serious" threat from international terrorism, urging members of the public to remain vigilant. | She said the UK faced a "real and serious" threat from international terrorism, urging members of the public to remain vigilant. |
| Analysis by Dominic Casciani, BBC home affairs correspondent | Analysis by Dominic Casciani, BBC home affairs correspondent |
| The raised threat level may not lead to visible signs of change on the streets - but it is a sign of the increased concern and security activity behind the scenes involving all of the UK's intelligence and security bodies. | The raised threat level may not lead to visible signs of change on the streets - but it is a sign of the increased concern and security activity behind the scenes involving all of the UK's intelligence and security bodies. |
| The last time the level was this high was between January 2010 and the summer of 2011. This may have been linked to attempts by an al-Qaeda affiliate to smuggle bombs on to planes heading out of the Middle East. | The last time the level was this high was between January 2010 and the summer of 2011. This may have been linked to attempts by an al-Qaeda affiliate to smuggle bombs on to planes heading out of the Middle East. |
| The highest level is "critical"- meaning an attack is expected imminently. Officials have twice put the country on such an alert - in 2006 after the discovery of liquid bombs aimed at airliners and then the following year when extremists attempted to bomb Glasgow Airport and London's West End. | The highest level is "critical"- meaning an attack is expected imminently. Officials have twice put the country on such an alert - in 2006 after the discovery of liquid bombs aimed at airliners and then the following year when extremists attempted to bomb Glasgow Airport and London's West End. |
| In other words - if security chiefs had knowledge of a clear threat they could not contain, the level would already be one notch higher. | In other words - if security chiefs had knowledge of a clear threat they could not contain, the level would already be one notch higher. |
| Mrs May stressed the decision to raise the threat level was made by the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC). | Mrs May stressed the decision to raise the threat level was made by the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC). |
| She added: "JTAC's judgements about that threat level are made on the basis of the very latest intelligence and are independent of ministers. | She added: "JTAC's judgements about that threat level are made on the basis of the very latest intelligence and are independent of ministers. |
| "JTAC has today raised the threat level to the UK from international terrorism from substantial to severe. | "JTAC has today raised the threat level to the UK from international terrorism from substantial to severe. |
| "That means that a terrorist attack is highly likely, but there is no intelligence to suggest that an attack is imminent." | "That means that a terrorist attack is highly likely, but there is no intelligence to suggest that an attack is imminent." |
| 'Escalating towards terrorism' | 'Escalating towards terrorism' |
| AC Rowley said: "From this afternoon we will begin to increase our levels of visible patrols and implement other security and protection measures. | AC Rowley said: "From this afternoon we will begin to increase our levels of visible patrols and implement other security and protection measures. |
| "We will also build on existing community relations to provide reassurance and seek their support and assistance in keeping the UK safe." | "We will also build on existing community relations to provide reassurance and seek their support and assistance in keeping the UK safe." |
| He urged communities and families to report anyone who is "vulnerable, a danger or escalating towards terrorism" by calling the Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321. | He urged communities and families to report anyone who is "vulnerable, a danger or escalating towards terrorism" by calling the Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321. |
| Scotland Yard chief Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe has said the force is prepared in case large numbers of British would-be extremists decide to return at the same time. | Scotland Yard chief Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe has said the force is prepared in case large numbers of British would-be extremists decide to return at the same time. |
| UK terror threat levels | UK terror threat levels |
| Critical - attack expected imminently | Critical - attack expected imminently |
| Severe - attack highly likely | Severe - attack highly likely |
| Substantial - attack a strong possibility | Substantial - attack a strong possibility |
| Moderate - attack possible but not likely | Moderate - attack possible but not likely |
| Low - an attack unlikely | Low - an attack unlikely |
| Source: Home Office | Source: Home Office |
| BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner said that for "99% of us" the change in threat level would not make "any difference to our lives whatsoever". | BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner said that for "99% of us" the change in threat level would not make "any difference to our lives whatsoever". |
| However he said it had been raised in the light of British nationals travelling to Syria and mixing with "extremely violent people". More than half who went there have now returned and there is no way to follow them all, he added. | However he said it had been raised in the light of British nationals travelling to Syria and mixing with "extremely violent people". More than half who went there have now returned and there is no way to follow them all, he added. |
| The terror threat level has been made public since 2006 and has twice been raised to "critical" - in August 2006 after police uncovered a plot to blow up passenger planes, and in June 2007 after an attack at Glasgow Airport. | The terror threat level has been made public since 2006 and has twice been raised to "critical" - in August 2006 after police uncovered a plot to blow up passenger planes, and in June 2007 after an attack at Glasgow Airport. |
| The level last changed in July 2011 when it was reduced to "substantial". | The level last changed in July 2011 when it was reduced to "substantial". |
| What is the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre? | What is the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre? |
| • The Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC) is the UK's independent body for assessing terrorist activity at home and abroad | • The Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC) is the UK's independent body for assessing terrorist activity at home and abroad |
| • Created in 2003, it is based at the headquarters of the Security Service (MI5) at Thames House in central London | • Created in 2003, it is based at the headquarters of the Security Service (MI5) at Thames House in central London |
| • It sets threat levels and issues warnings to ministers and government agencies | • It sets threat levels and issues warnings to ministers and government agencies |
| • Comprises counter-terrorism experts from the police and 16 government departments and agencies | • Comprises counter-terrorism experts from the police and 16 government departments and agencies |
| • Works with the International Counter Terrorism Branch, which investigates terrorist activity in the UK, in its assessment of threat levels | • Works with the International Counter Terrorism Branch, which investigates terrorist activity in the UK, in its assessment of threat levels |