UK Terrorism threat level reduced from severe to substantial

UK Terrorism threat level reduced from severe to substantial
Peter Byrne
Gareth Milner

By Gareth Milner


Published: 09/02/2022

- 14:34

Updated: 09/02/2022

- 14:46

The announcement was made by Home Secretary Priti Patel

The terrorism threat level has been reduced from severe to substantial.

In a statement to Parliament, Home Secretary Priti Patel said: “The Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC) has reduced the UK national terrorism threat level from severe to substantial. This means that a terrorist attack in the UK is likely.


“JTAC previously raised the UK national threat level from substantial to severe following two terrorist attacks in the UK in quick succession, in October and November 2021.

“When the threat level is at severe it means an attack is highly likely.

“JTAC judges that, despite these two attacks, the current nature and scale of the UK terrorist threat is consistent with the level of threat seen prior to the attacks.”

Home Secretary Priti Patel said the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre’s decision to reduce the threat level was positive but people should not be complacent.

“The attacks in October and November 2021 reflect the complex, volatile, and unpredictable nature of the terrorist threat in the UK,” she told MPs.

“The decision to change the UK terrorism threat level is taken by JTAC independently of ministers.

“JTAC keep the threat level under constant review based on the very latest intelligence and analysis of internal and external factors which drive the threat.

“Any reduction in the threat level is positive but it must never make us complacent.

“Terrorism remains one of the most direct and immediate risks to our national security. The public should remain alert, but not alarmed, and report any concerns they may have to the police.”

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