UK lowers terror threat level to 'substantial'

[News_Editor]

UK lowers terror threat level to 'substantial'

2011-07-11 23:13:24 GMT+7 (ICT)

LONDON (BNO NEWS) -- The United Kingdom on Monday reduced its international terrorism threat level from severe to substantial, Home Secretary Theresa May announced.

Substantial is the third highest level on the five-step scale of threat levels, meaning a terrorist attack is a 'strong possibility' and could take place without warning. It was previously at 'severe', meaning a terrorist attack is 'highly likely'.

"The change in the threat level to substantial does not mean the overall threat has gone away - there remains a real and serious threat against the United Kingdom and I would ask the public to remain vigilant," May said.

She added: "The decision to change the threat level is taken by the Joint Terrorism Analysis Center (JTAC) independently of Ministers and is based on the very latest intelligence, considering factors such as capability, intent and timescale."

Neither May nor the JTAC gave specific details about what sort of intelligence had led to the decision, but the move comes just over two months after the death of al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, which has weakened the terrorist organization.

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