UK terror threat raised to 'severe', Home Secretary announces

[Peter Presland]

In my previous post I had meant to ask (somewhat rhetorically) 'just what IS the purpose of these 'terrorist attack risk level warnings anyway?

Since anyone with a modicum of intelligence can calculate that the odds of being harmed by a 'terrorist attack' are not much greater than that of winning the National Lottery Jackpot two weeks running, just how is our behaviour supposed to change with a 'raised warning level'?

Are we perhaps supposed to pay 10% more attention to bearded males carrying rucksacks - or maybe 22.5% more? - something like that?? And what about venturing out of the house when the odds of being killed on our roads are maybe 100,000 times more severe! - clearly we ought to be scared shitless about that.

Anyway in the interests of doing my bit in this charade, here is what MI5 have to say on the subject as of this morning:

Members of the public should always remain alert to the danger of terrorism and report any suspicious activity to the police on 999 or the anti-terrorist hotline: 0800 789 321. If your information does not relate to an imminent threat, you can also contact the Security Service via the How You Can Help us page.

[B]Current threat level[/B]

The current threat level is assessed as SEVERE (as of 22nd January 2010 - see threat level history for previous changes).
This means there is a strong possibility of future terrorist attacks and indicates a continuing high level of threat to the UK.
See The UK's threat level system for more information on what threat levels mean, who decides the level of threat and how the threat level system is used.
The Government continues to maintain a state of heightened readiness in response to the threat from international terrorism. It remains the Government's policy to issue warnings or advice if this ever became necessary to protect public safety in the event of a specific and credible terrorist threat.
[B]Source and form of the threat[/B]

The threat of international terrorism comes from a diverse range of sources, including Al Qaida and associated networks, and those who share Al Qaida's ideology but do not have direct contact with them. A threat could manifest itself from a lone individual or group, rather than a larger network. Domestic terrorism related to Northern Ireland, principally from dissident Irish Republican and Loyalist terrorist groups, also remains a threat.
The terrorist threat can take a number of forms, as terrorists may use a variety of methods of attack to achieve their objectives. These may include explosive devices, firearms, missiles, kidnapping, infiltration and electronic attacks. See the Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure (CPNI) (new window) website for practical advice on how to defend against these threats.
This page has been produced in consultation with the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC). It will be regularly reviewed and updated. Whilst every care has been taken in preparing this summary, the Security Service accepts no liability for any statement contained therein (see our Content Disclaimer).

BTW The MI5 site is a treasure -trove of startling information about 'International terrorism' that you would never have known - as in:

The US, UK and Israel, and their representatives overseas, remain the prime targets for international terrorist networks, particularly Al Qaida.

However, Usama bin Laden has variously identified a number of other countries as allies of the US which should also be targeted.

Note the spelling of bin Laden's uh Christian name - trendy stuff eh?

It really does remind me of a patronising adult explaining all about Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy to an anxious 5 year old.

I'm sure they'll be ever so grateful for the link.