Terror attack 'highly likely' say experts as UK raises threat level to 'severe'

The UK has raised its terror threat level to ‘severe’ following last night’s attack in Vienna - meaning a similar event on UK soil is thought to be ‘highly likely’.
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This afternoon, the independent Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre increased the terror threat level from ‘substantial’ to ‘severe’ in a move described by Home Secretary Priti Patel as a ‘precautionary measure’.

The decision comes after a series of attacks over the last few weeks in France and one last night in the Austrian capital Vienna in which three people died.

The Home Secretary told the House of Commons that the threat the country faced was ‘real and serious’ and said the public should ‘remain vigilant’ and report suspicious activity.

British Home Secretary Priti Patel (Photo by JESSICA TAYLOR/UK PARLIAMENT).British Home Secretary Priti Patel (Photo by JESSICA TAYLOR/UK PARLIAMENT).
British Home Secretary Priti Patel (Photo by JESSICA TAYLOR/UK PARLIAMENT).

She said: “The British people should be alert but not alarmed.

“This is a precautionary measure following the horrific events of the last week in France and last night in Austria and is not based on a specific threat.

“We have already taken significant steps to amend our powers and strengthen the tools 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.”

The threat level was last changed in November 2019 when it was reduced to ‘substantial’ meaning an attack was thought to be likely rather than highly likely.

The UK’s head of counter-terrorism policing, Assistant Commissioner Neil Bas, said officers would be deployed to ‘certain locations’ in response to the increasing threat.

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.