The UK’s national threat level has been increased from substantial to severe following a terror attack in which two Jewish men were stabbed in north London on Wednesday
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the criminal justice system must respond in a ‘swift, agile and visible way’ to Wednesday’s antisemitic attack(Image: Getty Images)
The UK’s national threat level has been increased from substantial to severe following a terror attack in north London yesterday.
The Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC) has today raised the UK National Threat Level from substantial, meaning an attack is likely, to severe, meaning an attack is highly likely in next six months.
It follows Wednesday’s antisemitic terrorist attack in Golders Green, which saw two Jewish men stabbed in the street. The Home Office said the threat level has been rising for “some time”, driven by an “increase in broader Islamist and Extreme Right Wing terrorist threat from individuals and small groups based in the UK”.
The UK was last at severe in November 2021, following the Liverpool Women’s Hospital bombing and murder of Tory MP Sir David Amess, before being lowered to substantial in February 2022.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood branded yesterday’s attack “a vile act of terrorism”. She urged Brits to be “vigilant” in their daily lives and contact police if they have concerns.
READ MORE: Keir Starmer calls on country to ‘open eyes to Jewish pain’ in impassioned plea
She continued: “Today, the national threat level has increased to ‘severe’, which means a terrorist attack is considered highly likely. I know this will be a source of concern to many, particularly amongst our Jewish community, who have suffered so much.
“The Government has today announced a significant increase in investment to protect our Jewish communities, with record funding for policing and security at synagogues, schools and community centres. And we will do everything in our power to rid society of the evil of antisemitism.
“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. And I can assure everyone that our world-class security services and the police are working, day and night, to keep our country safe.”
She added: “Yesterday’s abhorrent, antisemitic attack was a vile act of terrorism. My thoughts today remain with the victims, and with the whole Jewish community at a time of deep disquiet and fear. My deepest thanks go to the volunteers and emergency services, a number of whom I met today. Their actions saved lives and they are, and forever will be, heroes.”
In a press conference earlier today, Keir Starmer called on Britons to “open their eyes to Jewish pain” as he vowed to use the full force of the state to tackle antisemitism. In an impassioned Downing Street statement, he branded hatred against Jews as an “affront to British values”, and called for the country to stand together.
Mr Starmer stated: “We will strengthen our security and protect our Jewish community. But I also call on everyone decent in this country to open their eyes to Jewish pain, Jewish suffering, and Jewish fear.
“I call on everyone to come together and fight antisemitism, and I call on everyone to fight for the decent, respectful, tolerant Britain that I and millions of people love.”
The Government earlier unveiled £25million for security to boost police patrols and protections around synagogues, schools and community centres. Legislation will also be fast tracked in the coming weeks to clamp down on individuals and groups carrying out hostile activity for foreign states, including those who act as their proxies.
The Home Secretary will be given new proscription-like powers to ban the activities of state-backed organisations who pose a threat to the UK’s national security. It will give police and intelligence agencies stronger tools under the National Security Act to disrupt the activities of anyone acting on behalf of state-backed organisations.
