UK Threat Levels

The UK Threat Levels refer to the alert state that has been in use since 1 August 2006 by the British government to warn of forms of terrorist activity. Before then a colour based alert scheme known as BIKINI state was used.[1] The response indicates how government departments and agencies and their staffs should react to each threat level.

Contents

Categories of threat

Since 24 September 2010, the Home Office has been reporting three different categories of terrorist threat:[2][3]

The Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC) is responsible for setting the threat level from international terrorism and the Security Service (MI5) is responsible for setting both threat levels related to Northern Ireland.[4]

Threat levels

Threat level Response
Critical An attack is expected imminently.
EXCEPTIONAL
Maximum protective security measures to meet specific threats and to minimise vulnerability and risk. Critical may also be used if a nuclear attack is expected.
Severe An attack is highly likely.
HEIGHTENED
Additional and sustainable protective security measures reflecting the broad nature the threat combined with specific business and geographical vulnerabilities and judgements on acceptable risk
Substantial An attack is a strong possibility.
Moderate An attack is possible, but not likely.
NORMAL
Routine protective security measures appropriate to the business concerned
Low An attack is unlikely.

History

MI5 currently maintains a history of threat levels.

Date Threat level
1 August 2006 Severe
10 August 2006 Critical
13 August 2006 Severe
30 June 2007 Critical
4 July 2007 Severe
20 July 2009 Substantial
22 January 2010 Severe
Date International terrorism Irish related terrorism
24 September 2010 Severe GB: substantial. NI: severe
11 July 2011 – present Substantial GB: substantial. NI: severe

See also

References

  1. ^ Threat Levels, July 2006
  2. ^ "Irish terror attack a 'strong possibility'". BBC News. 2010-09-25. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11408758. Retrieved 2010-12-20. 
  3. ^ "Press Release: Increased risk of Irish-related terrorism". United Kingdom Home Office. 2010-09-24. http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/media-centre/news/terrorist-threat?version=1. Retrieved 2010-12-20. 
  4. ^ "Current threat level - Who decides the threat levels?". United Kingdom Home Office. http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/counter-terrorism/current-threat-level/. Retrieved 2010-12-20. 

External links