On Thursday, Shabana Mahmood, the Home Secretary, announced that the UK’s current threat level had risen from substantial to severe.
This indicates that the likelihood of a terrorist attack in the country is now ‘highly likely’.
The decision is said to have been made in the wake of a series of recent attacks on Jewish communities and a terror attack that was declared in North London on Wednesday.
Police Scotland has stated that despite this, there is “nothing to suggest specific threat to Scotland”.
Members of the public are asked to remain alert, not alarmed, vigilant, and to report anything suspicious.
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Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Houston commented: “Today the Home Secretary announced an increase in the UK’s Terrorism Threat Level to Severe, meaning an attack is now highly likely.
“This decision has been made in response to a series of recent attacks on Jewish communities and a terror attack declared in north London yesterday (April 29).
“I want to stress that there is no intelligence to suggest any specific threat to Scotland. However, I do want to take this opportunity to urge the public to remain alert but not alarmed.
“You should remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to Police Scotland.”
What is a terrorism threat level?
This indicates the likelihood of a terrorist attack in the UK.
There are five levels of threat.
- Low – An attack is highly unlikely.
- Moderate – An attack is possible but not likely.
- Substantial – An attack is likely.
- Severe – An attack is highly likely.
- Critical – An attack is highly likely in the near future.
The level is set by the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre and MI5, the security service.
Threat levels do not have an expiry date and can change at any time.
The current terror threat level can be viewed on the UK Government’s website HERE or on the MI5 website HERE.
