London Protect: threat level for international terrorism in UK raised to CRITICAL

The following is a London Regional Counter Terrorism Protective Security Update from London Protect:

Last night the independent Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC) raised the threat level for international terrorism in the UK to CRITICAL. This means that their assessment is not only that an attack remains highly likely but a further attack may be imminent.

The investigation into the terrorist attack in Manchester is large scale, fast moving and making good progress. There has been an arrest and there are currently multiple searches and other activity taking place. At this stage however, it is still not possible to be certain whether or not a wider group was involved in the attack; 24 hours in we have a number of investigative leads that we are pursuing to manage the ongoing threat. This concern led, last night, to the independent Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre to raise the threat level to “critical”. This means that their assessment is, not only that an attack remains highly likely, but a further attack may be imminent.

Businesses would expect the police to do everything possible to prevent further attacks and keep them safe. We are flexing our resources to increase police presence at key sites (such as transport and other crowded places) and we are reviewing key events over the coming weeks.

  • We need businesses to continue to support this effort by ensuring your own staff and buildings are prepared to deal with an attack
  • We continue to offer support through Project Griffin and Project Argus
  • Where you have them, we encourage your security staff to be vigilant and proactive in monitoring your business areas for suspicious activity
  • Where businesses are co-located, we recommend that you work together to ensure your shared areas are protected
  • Try and minimise crowds at your business and make sure you are aware of who is coming in and out of your premises
  • Keep buildings secure where appropriate
  • Pay attention to areas around exits, especially when large numbers of staff and customers are due to leave

The public can expect to see the military deployed alongside the police at certain locations. This will free up armed officers from some guarding duties to release our officers to support the wider response. This is part of an agreed and well-rehearsed plan and military personnel will remain under the command and control of the police service. At this time we are asking the public to remain calm but alert. If you see anything that causes you concern, then let us know immediately, if you have suspicions about someone’s behaviour call us. Look out for anything that seems out of place, unusual, or doesn’t seem to fit in with day-to-day life.

It may be nothing but if you see or hear anything that could be terrorist related trust your instinct no matter how small then ACT and call 999.

Other key points:

You will also be carrying out your own reviews of security levels and some of you will have innovative and new ways of delivering protective security, which you may wish to share with other partners. If you are deploying such tactics and are willing to share them, please forward them to NaCTSO who will circulate them: nactso@cpni.gsi.gov.uk

In an emergency call 999
For non emergencies call 101
For the Anti-Terrorist Hotline call 0800 789 321

For more information please visit MI5.