Terror threat level raised to 'severe' as Brits brace for more attacks after double stabbing in Golders Green
The UK National Threat Level has been raised from substantial to severe, meaning a terror attack is highly likely in the next six months.
The UK National Threat Level has been raised from substantial to severe, meaning a terror attack is highly likely in the next six months.
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It comes a day after the terror attack in Golders Green saw two Jewish men hospitalised after being stabbed by a knifeman.
The Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre said the increase is not solely the result of that attack, as the terrorist threat level has been rising in the UK for some time.
Metropolitan Police commissioner Sir Mark Rowley will appear on LBC's Nick Ferrari at Breakfast on Friday, Live from 7am.
It has also been driven by an increase in the broader Islamist and extreme right-wing terrorist threat from individuals and small groups based in the UK, JTAG said.
The body, which is based in MI5 but makes independent assessments, previously set the threat level at “substantial”, meaning an attack was “likely”.
It comes as counter-terror police yesterday formally declared the stabbings in Golders Green a terrorist incident.
Scotland Yard also confirmed the suspect in Wednesday’s attack was "known to police" and had been referred to Prevent, the government’s anti-extremism programme, in 2020. However, his case was closed later that same year.
Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley confirmed that the suspect was a Somalian-born British citizen and has a history of "serious violence and mental health issues".
Yesterday's terror event comes in the wake of a spate of attacks in Jewish neighbourhoods in recent weeks.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was heckled when he visited the scene on Thursday, being greeted with chants of “Keir Starmer, Jew harmer” as he arrived to meet the emergency services who responded to the attack.
The UK was last at a "severe" terror threat level in November 2021, following the Liverpool Women’s Hospital bombing and murder of MP David Amess.
It was lowered to "substantial" in February 2022.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood says the raised threat level "will be a source of concern to many, particularly amongst our Jewish community, who have suffered so much".
"As the threat level rises, I urge everyone to be vigilant, as they go about their daily lives, and report any concerns they have to the police," she said.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has said he wants to "reassure all Londoners and visitors that we are doing everything possible to protect our city and keep all of our communities safe".
He says emergency services prepare "day in, day out" for these situations, and have "well-rehearsed plans" with specialist officers working "around the clock".
Sir Sadiq adds: "There will be additional police officers on London's streets over the coming days - including additional armed officers - they are there to help our police service to keep us all safe."