Terror threat level reduced for first time in five years
The UK’s terror threat level has been lowered for the first time in five years.
Today’s (November 4) downgrading of the threat level, from ‘severe’ to ‘substantial’ means a terrorist attack now ‘likely’ instead of ‘highly likely’.
It is the first time the terror threat level has been at this level since August 2014.
Home Secretary Priti Patel said the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre made the change independently of ministers following its biannual review.
She said the process was based “on the very latest intelligence and analysis of internal and external factors which drive the threat”.
“Despite the change in the threat level, terrorism remains one of the most direct and immediate risks to our national security,” added Ms Patel.
Last month, Metropolitan Police Service Commissioner Cressida Dick revealed that counter-terror operatives had foiled 24 attacks in Britain in the past two-and-a-half years. Sixteen were Islamist plots and eight were inspired by extreme far-right views.
