Home secretary says threat has increased, but no suggestion a terror attack is imminent

This article is more than 10 years old

This article is more than 10 years old

The threat to the UK from international terrorism was tonight raised from substantial to severe - meaning an attack is "highly likely".

Home secretary Alan Johnson said although the threat had increased, there was no intelligence to suggest an attack was imminent.

He said: "The Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre has today raised the threat to the UK from international terrorism from substantial to severe.

"This means that a terrorist attack is highly likely, but I should stress that there is no intelligence to suggest than an attack is imminent.

"JTAC keeps the threat level under constant review and makes its judgments based on a broad range of factors, including the intent and capabilities of international terrorist groups in the UK and overseas."

What the terror threat levels mean

• Low - an attack is unlikely

• Moderate - an attack is possible, but not likely

• Substantial - an attack is a strong possibility

• Severe - an attack is highly likely

• Critical - an attack is expected imminently