UK facing ’severe’ terror threat

LONDON - Britain has raised its terror threat level from “substantial” to “severe”, fearing “highly likely” attacks from international terrorists.

British Home Secretary Alan Johnson said while there was no intelligence to suggest an attack was imminent, the threat level has increased from substantial to severe and people should remain vigilant.

“The Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC) has 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 that an attack is imminent,” The Telegraph quoted Johnson, as saying.

He pointed out that the alarm was not specifically linked to the Christmas Day plane bomb plot or any other incident.

“JTAC keeps the threat level under constant review and makes its judgments based on a broad range of factors, including the intent and capabilities of international terrorist groups in the UK and overseas,” he said.

“The highest security alert is critical and that means an attack is imminent, and we are not at that level,” he added.

However, Johnson said more measures had been taken to protect aviation since the alleged failed bomb attack on a plane at Detroit at Christmas.

The Christmas Day bomb plot has moved the focus of the fight against terror onto the Yemen, where suspect Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab has reportedly claimed he was supplied with explosives. (ANI)