THREAT LEVELS [MI5

Members of the public should always remain alert to the danger of terrorism and report any suspicious activity to the police on 999 or the anti-terrorist hotline: 0800 789 321. If your information does not relate to an imminent threat, you can also contact the Security Service via the How You Can Help us page.

The current threat level is assessed as SEVERE (as of 22nd January 2010 - see threat level history for previous changes).

This means there is a strong possibility of future terrorist attacks and indicates a continuing high level of threat to the UK.

See The UK's threat level system for more information on what threat levels mean, who decides the level of threat and how the threat level system is used.

The Government continues to maintain a state of heightened readiness in response to the threat from international terrorism. It remains the Government's policy to issue warnings or advice if this ever became necessary to protect public safety in the event of a specific and credible terrorist threat.

Source and form of the threat The threat of international terrorism comes from a diverse range of sources, including Al Qaida and associated networks, and those who share Al Qaida's ideology but do not have direct contact with them. A threat could manifest itself from a lone individual or group, rather than a larger network. Domestic terrorism related to Northern Ireland, principally from dissident Irish Republican and Loyalist terrorist groups, also remains a threat.

The terrorist threat can take a number of forms, as terrorists may use a variety of methods of attack to achieve their objectives. These may include explosive devices, firearms, missiles, kidnapping, infiltration and electronic attacks. See the Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure (CPNI) (new window) website for practical advice on how to defend against these threats.

This page has been produced in consultation with the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC). It will be regularly reviewed and updated. Whilst every care has been taken in preparing this summary, the Security Service accepts no liability for any statement contained therein (see our Content Disclaimer).

Threat level lowered to SUBSTANTIAL Security Service news announcement 4 July 2007

Threat level raised to CRITICAL Security Service news announcement 14 August 2006

Note: The following text is a quote:

https://www.mi5.gov.uk/output/news/uk-threat-level-raised.html

UK threat level raised

NEWS
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The Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC) has changed the UK threat level from international terrorism from SUBSTANTIAL to SEVERE. The current threat level means that the threat of a terrorist attack is considered to be highly likely.

The Home Secretary said in a statement:

“The Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre has today raised the threat to the UK from international terrorism from SUBSTANTIAL to SEVERE. This means that a terrorist attack is highly likely, but I should stress that there is no intelligence to suggest than an attack is imminent.”

To find out more about the UK’s threat level system, see “Threat Levels” on the Security Service’s website.

Note: The following text is a quote:

https://www.mi5.gov.uk/output/what-to-look-for.html

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

The terrorist threat is serious and ongoing. Members of the public can help to prevent terrorism by being alert to possible suspicious activities.

Terrorists have to live somewhere, and they need to plan and prepare for attacks. They buy and store materials, fund their activities, move around, prepare equipment and weapons and possibly undergo training. They may have people helping them - and these people might come and go at strange times of the day and night. They may make unusual financial transactions or use false documents to hide their real identities. They may be behaving differently to how you’ve known them to behave in the past. Members of the public may spot such activities, and if reported in time, a planned terrorist attack may be stopped before it happens.

If you are aware of something suspicious, trust your instincts and report it to the police. What might seem insignificant on its own could actually provide a vital link in a wider investigation.

Note: This is only a snippet. If your are in the UK, I suggest you read the entire page.

Note: The following text SNIPPET is a quote:

http://www.met.police.uk/so/at_hotline.htm

If you suspect it, report it

In an emergency

If you think you have seen a person acting suspiciously, or if you see a vehicle, unattended package or bag which might be an immediate threat, move away and call 999.

Anti-Terrorist hotline

The confidential Anti-Terrorist Hotline is staffed around the clock by specialist counter-terrorism police officers and staff.

The terrorist threat remains real and there is no room for complacency. The public should remain alert and aware of their surrounding at all times. If something strikes you as suspicious and out of place then trust your instincts and call the police.

If you think you have seen something suspicious or you are unsure about somebody’s activities or behaviour, however insignificant it may seem at the time, call the confidential Anti-Terrorist hotline on 0800 789 321.A textphone service is available for people with speech or hearing difficulties on 0800 032 45 39 (text messages from mobiles are not accepted).

You can also submit your information using our confidential online form.

Any information passed to the Anti-Terrorist Hotline is treated in the strictest of confidence and is thoroughly analysed and researched before, and if, any police action is taken.

Note: The following text is a quote:

https://www.mi5.gov.uk/output/terrorism.html

TERRORISM

Terrorism presents a serious and sustained threat to the United Kingdom and UK interests abroad.

International terrorism from groups such as Al Qaida present a threat on a scale not previously encountered. Drawing on extremist messages presented by figures such as Usama bin Laden, Al Qaida and its related networks seek to carry out terrorist attacks around the world, aiming to carry out “high impact” attacks causing mass civilian casualties.

Northern Ireland-related terrorism continues to pose a serious threat to British interests. Although a peace process has been active for several years, dissident Irish republican terrorist groups oppose the peace process and continue to attack economic and political targets.

Other domestic extremist groups, unrelated to the Northern Ireland situation, may aspire to campaigns of violence but lack developed terrorist capabilities. For the most part, they pose a threat to public order but not to national security.

For detailed guidance on how to protect your business from the threat of terrorism, please see the website of the Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure (new window).

CONTACT FORM URL:

www.mi5.gov.uk/output/contact-form.html?subject=Reporting%20suspected%20threats

Note: The following text is a quote:

https://www.mi5.gov.uk/output/how-you-can-help-us.html

We are responsible for protecting against threats to national security, such as terrorism. If you know something about a threat to national security, we want to hear from you.

Do you have information which you think could be of value to our work? Could it make a difference to keeping the community safe? If so, please let us know. It would help if you explained how you came by the information. We shall treat your information and any personal details you submit in confidence - please refer to our Privacy Policy.

Internet
Your message will be sent over a secure Internet connection*. You can choose to remain anonymous, but you may wish to include contact details so that we can get back to you if necessary.

Continue to the contact form.

* Your message will be sent via a Secure Socket Layer (SSL), a protocol used for secure communications over the Internet. Web addresses that begin with “https” indicate that an SSL connection will be used.

Written Correspondence
You can write to the following address:

The Enquiries Desk
PO Box 3255
London SW1P 1AE

By Phone
You can tell us your information by calling our Freephone line on 0800 111 4645 (free from BT telephones; mobile networks may charge) or 020 7930 9000 (charged at your telephone provider’s normal rates). Please do not use the phone line for making general or recruitment enquiries - the Contact Us page tells you where to direct these.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2406800/posts
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2227902/posts
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2207183/posts
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2204894/posts

I updated the following thread:

Quote:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2201636/posts

2 dead in shooting at Northern Irish army base
reuters UK ^ | Mar 7, 2009 | n/a
Posted on March 7, 2009 4:51:26 PM PST by Jet Jaguar

Two military personnel were killed and four people seriously wounded in a shooting at a British army base in Northern Ireland, police said Saturday.

“The two fatalities as I understand it are military personnel,” a police spokeswoman said,

(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...

For those who won’t click on the links; this post is for you.

ON THE INTERNET:

Quote:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2406800/posts

New IRA terror group forms
IrishCentral.com ^ | 12/13/2009 | Patrick Roberts
Posted on December 13, 2009 2:46:48 PM PST by noozguy1

A new dissent Republican group may be forming in Northern Ireland. The organization would include dissidents that have defected from the Continuity IRA and the Real IRA.

The group will not have a name, with the deliberate aim of confusing members of the security forces.

(Excerpt) Read more at irishcentral.com ...

Quote:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2207183/posts

IRA plotting to kill Princes William, Harry: Report
The Times of India ^ | 16 March, 2009 | PTI
Posted on March 15, 2009 3:18:58 PM PDT by MyTwoCopperCoins

LONDON: The security cover for Britain’s Princes William and Harry has been stepped up over fears that IRA terrorists are plotting to assassinate the royals, a news report said on Sunday.

Scotland Yard fears the Princes, who are officers in the British Army, are prize targets for Irish Republican Army (IRA). The number of close protection officers guarding the two royals on each shift has been increased, Britain’s Sunday Express reported today.

The threat level has been upgraded following the murders of two soldiers and a police officer in Northern Ireland.

“The Princes are regarded as legitimate targets by these madmen. The number of royalty protection officers has been increased from two to three and they are being reinforced by a back-up team of two,” a source within the security services was quoted as saying by the Express.

“No risks are being taken. William and Harry like to get about in London when they are not on duty and that makes them vulnerable,” the source said.

Princes’ bodyguards and the security agencies are concerned that even with heightened threat William, 26, and Harry, 24, want to live as normal as possible.

The tightening of royal security comes as police hunting the gunmen who killed two British soldiers at Massereene barracks in Antrim last Saturday arrested three men yesterday, the report said.

Quote:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2204894/posts

Republican Bomb Plot Feared In N Ireland (Breaking News)
Sky News ^ | 12 March 2009
Posted on March 12, 2009 3:16:17 AM PDT by Briton

Security sources in Northern Ireland fear the next attack by Republican dissidents is likely to involve a bomb, Sky News has confirmed. It follows reports that the Real IRA has smuggled a large device into the province from the South. Sky’s Home Affairs correspondent Mark White says the focus of investigations is now on a 300lb car bomb left at Castelwellen at the end of January. That bomb was diffused after a warning call was received. It caused a security alert outside the town for five days. Security sources suggest that whoever put the “sophisticated” device together was an experienced bomb-maker who needs to be found as quickly as possible.

(Excerpt) Read more at news.sky.com ...

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