News 2020
Concern at downgrading of terror threat estimate
The threat of terror-related activities in Britain has been officially downgraded from "extremely grave" to "not quite so extremely grave", the Home Office announced today.
The threat was designated "extremely grave" in the wake of the terrorist attacks on the United States on 11 September 2001, when the United States was attacked by terrorists.
The threat has been officially downgraded three times previously, once to "very grave" and twice to "very grave indeed". The new designation "not quite so extremely grave" was introduced as a precisifying measure six months ago, and this is the first time it has been used.
The downgrading of the terrorist threat caused concern in Westminster, where MPs raised fears that the British public might become unduly complacent if encouraged to relax its vigilance.
But the Home Secretary said he was "very satisfied" with the performance of the new designation, and hoped to use it again in the near future.
"The British public is more responsible than politicians sometimes give it credit for being," the Home Secretary said. "I can assure everyone that if there is the slightest sign of renewed terrorist activity, the official risk level will be raised."
He added that the official risk level would probably be raised in any case during the autumn, as several new pieces of legislation came into effect. "In September this year, covering the head without official permission will become an official terrorist activity in Britain," he said.
"Obviously this will mean an upsurge in arrests for terrorist offences, and it is more than likely that the risk designation will have to be adjusted accordingly," the Home Secretary concluded.
The threat of terror-related activities in Britain has been officially downgraded from "extremely grave" to "not quite so extremely grave", the Home Office announced today.
The threat was designated "extremely grave" in the wake of the terrorist attacks on the United States on 11 September 2001, when the United States was attacked by terrorists.
The threat has been officially downgraded three times previously, once to "very grave" and twice to "very grave indeed". The new designation "not quite so extremely grave" was introduced as a precisifying measure six months ago, and this is the first time it has been used.
The downgrading of the terrorist threat caused concern in Westminster, where MPs raised fears that the British public might become unduly complacent if encouraged to relax its vigilance.
But the Home Secretary said he was "very satisfied" with the performance of the new designation, and hoped to use it again in the near future.
"The British public is more responsible than politicians sometimes give it credit for being," the Home Secretary said. "I can assure everyone that if there is the slightest sign of renewed terrorist activity, the official risk level will be raised."
He added that the official risk level would probably be raised in any case during the autumn, as several new pieces of legislation came into effect. "In September this year, covering the head without official permission will become an official terrorist activity in Britain," he said.
"Obviously this will mean an upsurge in arrests for terrorist offences, and it is more than likely that the risk designation will have to be adjusted accordingly," the Home Secretary concluded.
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