UK Terror Threat Raised to ‘Severe’ After Vienna Attack
The UK’s terror threat level has been upped from “substantial” to “severe” — signalling an attack is now seen as “highly likely.” Home Secretary Priti Patel called it a “precautionary measure” and insisted it’s “not based on any specific threat.”
Patel warned, “The public should continue to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the police.”
Wave of Attacks Across Europe Sparks Alarm
The decision follows a bloody week in Europe. On Monday night, four people were killed in a gun attack in Vienna. Last week, three were murdered in a knife rampage in Nice, France. Just last month, teacher Samuel Paty was brutally killed in Paris.
The terror alert rise was made by the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC), based at MI5’s HQ. The centre pools top counter-terror experts from police, government, and security services.
‘Severe’ Threat Level: Second-Highest Alert
The UK threat level had dropped to “substantial” in November 2019 after five years at “severe.” Now, the return to “severe” is a stark warning. Only “critical” sits higher — last hit in the wake of the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson reacted with shock, tweeting:
“The UK’s thoughts are with the people of Austria – we stand united with you against terror.”
Islamic State Link Fuels Fear of More Attacks
The gunman in Vienna, shot dead by police, had pledged allegiance to Islamic State. The terror group has called for attacks on French interests, sparked by France’s defence of cartoon depictions of Prophet Muhammad — a move deeply offensive to many in the Muslim world.
The rising threat level is a sharp reminder intelligence chiefs fear this wave of terror across Europe could soon hit British soil.
