UK National Threat Level Increase to SEVERE

You may have seen that the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC) has raised the UK National Threat Level from SUBSTANTIAL, meaning an attack is likely, to SEVERE, meaning an attack is highly likely in the next six months.  

This has been confirmed by the Home Secretary.  In her statement yesterday, the Home Secretary said:

“Today, the national threat level has increased to ‘severe’, which means a terrorist attack is considered highly likely,” 
“I know this will be a source of concern to many, particularly amongst our Jewish community, who have suffered so much.”

The increase in threat comes following the stabbing in Golders Green in north London, but it is not solely a result of that attack. The terrorist threat level in the UK has been rising for some time, driven by an increase in broader Islamist and extreme right wing terrorist threat from individuals and small groups based in the UK.

While the UK national threat level set independently by JTAC reflects the terrorist threat in the UK, it comes against a backdrop of increased state-linked physical threats, which is encouraging acts of violence, including against the Jewish community. In response to this most recent attack, the Government has announced a significant increase in investment to protect Jewish communities.  

As the threat level rises, please continue to be vigilant.  You may wish to consider reviewing Local Risk Assessments and Partnership Plans to take account of this increase in risk.  

Further information on the threat level increase is available here:  Threat level increase following antisemitic terror attack - GOV.UK

If you have any questions about this, please do not hesitate to contact your Prevent Adviser.

Prevent Local Delivery and Communities Team
Counter Terrorism Directorate