terror threat level 'severe'
The UK terror threat level is being raised from "substantial" to "severe", the Home Office has said.

The new alert level means a terrorist attack is considered "highly likely". It had stood at substantial since July.

The decision follows a recommendation from the UK's Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC).

It is in response to the perceived increased threat from international terrorism following the failed Detroit airliner bombing.


THREAT LEVEL SYSTEM

Low - attack is unlikely
Moderate - attack is possible, but not likely
Substantial - attack is a strong possibility
Severe - attack is highly likely
Critical - attack is expected imminently
The JTAC, which is a unit within the security service MI5, sets the level based on the intelligence available about terrorist intentions and capabilities.

There are five levels of terror threat, ranging from low - meaning an attack is unlikely - to critical - when an attack is expected imminently. Severe is the second level on the scale.

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/u ... 476238.stm

Published: 2010/01/22 20:37:33 GMT

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