UK terrorism threat downgraded to ‘substantial’

The UK’s terrorism threat level has been downgraded from “severe” to “substantial”, the Home Office says.

Home Secretary Priti Patel said the UK is still at “a high level of threat” and an attack could “occur without further warning”.

The terrorism threat is now at its lowest since August 2014. Substantial is the third of five ratings at which the threat level can stand.

The separate terrorism threat level for Northern Ireland remains “severe”.

Ms Patel said in a statement on Monday that terrorism remains a “direct and immediate” risk to the UK’s national security.

Assessments determining the country’s threat level are taken by the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC) – part of MI5 – which makes its recommendations independent from the government.

“Government, police and intelligence agencies will continue to work tirelessly to address the threat posed by terrorism in all its forms,” Ms Patel said.

The threat level is kept under “constant review”, she added.