UK terror threat falls from ‘severe’ to ‘substantial’, confirms Patel

Chief reporter

THE UK’S terrorism threat level has been downgraded from “severe” to “substantial”, the Home Secretary has announced, a week after Abu Bakr al-baghdadi was killed in a raid.

Priti Patel said the risk of an attack was now “likely” rather than “highly likely”. The decision was announced in a written ministerial statement to

Parliament yesterday. The Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC) – part of MI5 – makes the decision on the threat level independently of government ministers, after weighing up intelligence and known terrorist groups. A review is carried out every six months.

A Whitehall source suggested that the death of Baghdadi, the Isil leader, was indicative of the waning influence of the terror group – and as a result the reduced threat to the UK. Intelligence agencies have seen a reduction in Uk-based terror plots since a series of attacks in 2017. Attacks had been planned and ordered by Isil and its defeat in Syria and Iraq has seen its influence wane in the UK, sources believe.

Powers to revoke UK passports and prevent jihadists returning to the UK have also made Britain relatively safer as a result. Ms Patel said: “Despite the change in the threat level, terrorism remains one of the most direct and immediate risks to our national security. “Substantial” continues to indicate a high level of threat; and an attack might well occur without further warning.

“As ever, the public should remain vigilant and report any concerns they may have. Government, police and intelligence agencies will continue to work tirelessly to address the threat.”