MI5 raises terror threat level in Northern Ireland to ‘severe’
The terror threat level in Northern Ireland has been increased from ‘substantial’ to ‘severe’, meaning an attack is now considered highly likely.
Chris Heaton-Harris, the Northern Ireland secretary, told MPs the decision was taken by MI5. He cited a ‘small number’ of individuals who remain determined to use ‘politically motivated violence’.
The move follows a series of incidents targeting security forces, including the attempted murder of Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell, who was shot in Omagh last month.
It also comes ahead of next month’s 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, the peace deal that largely ended the ‘Troubles’, three decades of violence that had convulsed Northern Ireland.
US President Joe Biden is due to visit Northern Ireland, while Bill and Hilary Clinton are also expected to attend anniversary-related events.
The threat level for the rest of the UK remains at ‘substantial’, meaning an attack is considered ‘likely’.
Northern Ireland’s level had been lowered to substantial a year ago – the first time it had been altered since 2010.
The UK has five terror threat levels
There are five levels of threat:
- low – an attack is highly unlikely
- moderate – an attack is possible but not likely
- substantial – an attack is likely
- severe – an attack is highly likely
- critical – an attack is highly likely in the near future
The level is set by the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre and the Security Service (MI5).
Threat levels do not have an expiry date. They can change at any time as different information becomes available.
In a written statement to MPs, Mr Heaton-Harris said MI5 had increased the threat level to the region from Northern Ireland-related terrorism independently of ministers.
He added: ‘The public should remain vigilant, but not be alarmed, and continue to report any concerns they have to the Police Service of Northern Ireland.’
Mr Heaton-Harris said that despite the success of the Good Friday Agreement ‘a small number of people remain determined to cause harm to our communities through acts of politically motivated violence’.
‘In recent months, we have seen an increase in levels of activity relating to Northern Ireland related terrorism, which has targeted police officers serving their communities and also put at risk the lives of children and other members of the public.
‘These attacks have no support, as demonstrated by the reaction to the abhorrent attempted murder of DCI Caldwell.’
Simon Byrne, Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, said: ‘This is part of an ongoing process of monitoring the threat level in Northern Ireland, which is conducted by MI5. We have spoken publicly about the number of attacks that have taken place in recent months, not least the attempted murder of DCI John Caldwell on February 22.
‘We will relentlessly pursue those who seek to cause harm and terrorise our communities, and attack my officers and staff, and I pay tribute to them as they continue to deliver for our communities.
‘I would also like to thank the community and political leaders of Northern Ireland for their overwhelming support for the Police Service in recent times.’
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