Forces on alert as terror threat level raised

A statement issued by the Home Office said: “The increase in threat comes following yesterday’s 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 the 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.

“This is an independent, systematic, and rigorous process, based on the very latest intelligence and analysis of internal and external factors which drive the threat.”

Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, said: “Yesterday’s abhorrent, antisemitic attack was a vile act of terrorism. My thoughts today remain with the victims, and with the whole Jewish community at a time of deep disquiet and fear.

“My deepest thanks go to the volunteers and emergency services, a number of whom I met today. Their actions saved lives and they are, and forever will be, heroes. 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 Government has today announced a significant increase in investment to protect our Jewish communities, with record funding for policing and security at synagogues, schools and community centres. And we will do everything in our power to rid society of the evil of antisemitism.

“As the threat level rises, I urge everyone to be vigilant as they go about their daily lives, and report any concerns they have to the police. And I can assure everyone that our world-class security services and the police are working day and night to keep our country safe.”

The UK was last at SEVERE in November 2021, following the Liverpool Women’s Hospital bombing and murder of Sir David Amess, before being lowered to SUBSTANTIAL in February 2022.

Head of Counter Terrorism Policing, Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, said: “The UK has been experiencing a gradual increase in terrorist threats for some time, driven by a rise in both Islamist and Extreme Right-Wing terrorism. Our casework is increasing across a number of ideologies and within that we are seeing an elevated threat to Jewish and Israeli individuals and institutions in the UK.

“We are also working against an unpredictable global situation that has consequences closer to home, including physical threats by state-linked actors. Following yesterday’s horrific terrorist attack, and incidents targeting the Jewish community across the country, there is already an enhanced police response in place, and all police forces will be reviewing this in light of the change in threat level.

Chief Constable Gavin Stephens, Chair of the National Police Chiefs’ Council, said: “This week we have seen another horrendous act of violence towards our Jewish communities, which will no doubt cause great concern across the country. My thoughts are with the victims of this horrific attack, as well as their families and the wider Jewish community.

“Levels of antisemitic hate crime remain unacceptably high and the cumulative impact of such atrocious attacks that we have seen recently, along with the continued levels of fear and exposure to hostility, have a deep and corrosive effect on targeted communities.

“A national coordination group is being established to lead a policing response across different forces and national portfolios, while we speak regularly with the Community Security Trust, government and other key agencies to ensure policing understands these concerns and is best prepared to respond in a way that brings perpetrators of these crimes to justice and protects our communities.

“I would encourage anyone who has experienced or witnessed antisemitic abuse or violence to report it to their local police force. These reports are vital and enable policing to take action and ensure offenders face justice.

“I would also like to acknowledge the bravery of the Metropolitan Police officers who were involved in this incident. Their actions were heroic and ultimately protected the community from coming to any further harm.”