UK threat level increased to Critical
11th August: MORE INFORMATION WILL BE POSTED ON THIS PAGE AS IT BECOMES AVAILABLE: REFRESH YOUR BROWSER TO ENSURE YOU ARE READING THE LATEST VERSION The current threat of a terrorist attack on the UK has been increased to ‘Critical’ – the highest possible warning level. This was linked to the overnight arrest of people alleged to be plotting to attack UK-US flights in mid-air using explosive devices carried in hand luggage. A threat level of Critical means that an attack is expected imminently and indicates an extremely high level of threat to the UK. MI5 assesses threat levels using the following criteria: (verbatim from the MI5 website) Terrorist capability: An examination of what is known about the capabilities of the terrorists in question and the method they may use based on previous attacks or from intelligence. This would also analyse the potential scale of the attack. Terrorist intentions: Using intelligence and publicly available information to examine the overall aims of the terrorists and the ways they may achieve them including what sort of targets they would consider attacking. Timescale: The threat level expresses the likelihood of an attack in the near term. We know from past incidents that some attacks take years to plan, while others are put together more quickly. In the absence of specific intelligence, a judgement will need to be made about how close an attack might be to fruition. Threat levels do not have any set expiry date, but are regularly subject to review in order to ensure that they remain current. The raising of the threat level also followed a speech yesterday by Home Secretary John Reid, who warned that there was 'No room for complacency' on the terror threat. Calling this an 'age of uncertainty' Reid said police and security services are working non-stop to prevent another terrorist attack, but that they cannot do it alone. 'While I am confident that the security services and police will deliver 100 percent effort and 100 percent dedication,' he said, 'they cannot guarantee 100% success'. If more violent attacks on UK citizens are to be stopped, the public, corporations - everyone - will have to do its part to help, he said. He called on the public to do all it can to stay alert and notify authorities of any suspicious activity, and warned: 'We are probably in the most sustained period of severe threat since the end of World War II.' Airline Security Following this morning's police action, security at all UK airports has been increased and additional security measures have been put in place for all flights. With immediate effect, the following arrangements apply to all passengers starting their journey at a UK airport and to those transferring between flights at a UK airport. All cabin baggage must be processed as hold baggage and carried in the hold of passenger aircraft departing UK airports. Passengers may take through the airport security search point, in a single (ideally transparent) plastic carrier bag, only the following items. Nothing may be carried in pockets: Pocket size wallets and pocket size purses plus contents (for example money, credit cards, identity cards etc (not handbags)); Travel documents essential for the journey (for example passports and travel tickets); Prescription medicines and medical items sufficient and essential for the flight (eg diabetic kit), except in liquid form unless verified as authentic. Spectacles and sunglasses, without cases. For those travelling with an infant: baby food, milk (the contents of each bottle must be tasted by the accompanying passenger) and sanitary items sufficient and essential for the flight (nappies, wipes, creams and nappy disposal bags). Female sanitary items sufficient and essential for the flight, if unboxed (eg tampons, pads, towels and wipes). Tissues (unboxed) and/or handkerchiefs Keys (but no electrical key fobs) All passengers must be hand searched, and their footwear and all the items they are carrying must be x-ray screened. Pushchairs and walking aids must be x-ray screened, and only airport-provided wheelchairs may pass through the screening point. In addition to the above, all passengers boarding flights to the USA and all the items they are carrying, including those acquired after the central screening point, must be subjected to secondary search at the boarding gate. Any liquids discovered must be removed from the passenger. There are no changes to current hold baggage security measures. Regrettably, significant delays at airports are inevitable. Passengers are being asked to allow themselves plenty of extra time and to ensure that other than the few permitted items listed above, all their belongings are placed in their hold baggage and checked in. These additional security measures will make travel more difficult for passengers, particularly at such a busy time of the year. But they are necessary and will continue to keep flights from UK airports properly secure. We hope that these measures, which are being kept under review by the Government, will need to be in place for a limited period only. In light of the threat to aviation and the need to respond to it, we are asking the travelling public to be patient and understanding and to cooperate fully with airport security staff and the police. If passengers have any questions on their travel arrangements or security in place at airports they should contact their airline or carrier. [http://www.ukresilience.info/airline_security.shtm] MORE INFORMATION WILL BE POSTED ON THIS PAGE AS IT BECOMES AVAILABLE: REFRESH YOUR BROWSER TO ENSURE YOU ARE READING THE LATEST VERSION Home office press release: Home Secretary issues terror statement The Home Secretary has made an official statement about this morning's major counter terrorist operation to quash a significant terrorist plot and the subsequent increase to UK threat levels. 'Overnight the police, with the full knowledge of Ministers, have carried out a major counter-terrorism operation to disrupt what we believe to be a major threat to the UK and international partners. The police, acting with the Security Service MI5, are investigating an alleged plot to bring down a number of aircraft through mid-flight explosions, causing a considerable loss of life. The police believe the alleged plot was a very significant one indeed. At 2am this morning the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre raised the UK threat state to its highest level – “CRITICAL”. This is now being publicly announced as I promised to Parliament last month. This is a precautionary measure. We are doing everything possible to disrupt any further terrorist activity. This will mean major disruption at all UK airports from today. But as far as is possible we want people to go about their business as normal. The police will provide an update on the operation later this morning and Ministers will keep the public regularly informed.' Met Police press release: Anti-terrorist operation It is believed that the aim was to detonate explosive devices smuggled on board the aircraft in hand luggage. It is also believed that the attacks would have been particularly targeted at flights from the UK to the USA. Overnight police have arrested a number of people in London. These arrests are the culmination of a major covert counter-terrorist operation lasting several months. We would like to reassure the public that this operation was carried out with public safety uppermost in our minds. This is a major operation which inevitably will be lengthy and complex. Home Secretary John Reid said: "Overnight the police, with the full knowledge of Ministers, have carried out a major counter-terrorism operation to disrupt what we believe to be a major threat to the UK and international partners. "The police, acting with the Security Service MI5, are investigating an alleged plot to bring down a number of aircraft through mid-flight explosions, causing a considerable loss of life. The police believe the alleged plot was a very significant one indeed. "At 2am this morning the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre raised the UK threat state to its highest level: 'Critical'. "This is now being publicly announced as I promised to Parliament last month. This is a precautionary measure. We are doing everything possible to disrupt any further terrorist activity. "This will mean major disruption at all UK airports from today. But as far as is possible we want people to go about their business as normal." * Met Police Deputy Commissioner says in press conference: * Home Office advice for travellers page: click here * UK Resilience update page: click here * Full text of statement delivered outside to media by Met Police Deputy Commissioner Paul Stephenson: "This was a plan by terrorists to cause untold death and destruction and commit mass murder. "I would want to join the Commissioner who is fully briefed and has been here at New Scotland Yard since early this morning in paying tribute to officers from the Met's Counter -Terrorist Branch and the security services for the work they have undertaken to disrupt these activities. "We believe that the terrorists' aim was to smuggle explosives onto aeroplanes in hand luggage and to detonate these in flight. "We also believe that the intended targets were flights from the UK to the USA. "I can confirm that a significant number of people are currently in custody and the operation is ongoing. The majority of those arrests have been in London but we have also made arrests in ThamesValley and Birmingham. We are grateful for the support and assistance of our colleagues across the country. We are currently searching a number of addresses. DAC Peter Clarke Head of the Anti-Terrorist Branch will give further details about this part of the operation later this morning. "As the operation got underway we spoke to community leaders to make them aware that a major anti-terrorist operation was taking place but without giving specific details about locations. Extensive dialogue will continue throughout the operation. "We would like to reassure the public that this operation was carried out with public safety upper most in our minds. This is a major operation, which will inevitably be lengthy and complex. The UK is now at the highest possible level of alert. We will consider the threat in its wider sense and take whatever action is necessary to protect the Country. "Measures have already been put in place to restrict hand luggage taken onto aircraft. This will inevitably cause delay and we ask people for their continued help and patience during these difficult times. "We are looking for the public to remain calm, patient and vigilant, but we cannot stress too highly the severity of the threat this plot presented. This was mass murder on an unimaginable scale." Statement by Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff Announcing a Change to the Nation’s Threat Level for the Aviation Sector The Department of Homeland Security is taking immediate steps to increase security measures in the aviation sector in coordination with heightened security precautions in the United Kingdom. Over the last few hours, British authorities have arrested a significant number of extremists engaged in a substantial plot to destroy multiple passenger aircraft flying from the United Kingdom to the United States. Currently, there is no indication, however, of plotting within the United States. We believe that these arrests have significantly disrupted the threat, but we cannot be sure that the threat has been entirely eliminated or the plot completely thwarted. For that reason, the United States Government has raised the nation’s threat level to Severe, or Red, for commercial flights originating in the United Kingdom bound for the United States. This adjustment reflects the Critical, or highest, alert level that has been implemented in the United Kingdom. To defend further against any remaining threat from this plot, we will also raise the threat level to High, or Orange, for all commercial aviation operating in or destined for the United States. Consistent with these higher threat levels, the Transportation Security Administration is coordinating with federal partners, airport authorities and commercial airlines on expanding the intensity of existing security requirements. Due to the nature of the threat revealed by this investigation, we are prohibiting any liquids, including beverages, hair gels, and lotions from being carried on the airplane. This determination will be constantly evaluated and updated when circumstances warrant. These changes will take effect at 4:00 AM local time across the country. Travelers should also anticipate additional security measures within the airport and at screening checkpoints. These measures will continue to assure that our aviation system remains safe and secure. Travelers should go about their plans confidently, while maintaining vigilance in their surroundings and exercising patience with screening and security officials. The United States and the United Kingdom are fully united and resolute in this effort and in our ongoing efforts to secure our respective homelands. * DHS Fact Sheet: Guidance For Airline Passengers * US Transportation Security Administration update * UK terror level remains at 'Critical' * Bank of England publishes list of those arrested who have had their assets frozen. Out of 19 names, all were resident in the UK and all but one are aged under 30. Read the list MORE INFORMATION WILL BE POSTED ON THIS PAGE AS IT BECOMES AVAILABLE: REFRESH YOUR BROWSER TO ENSURE YOU ARE READING THE LATEST VERSION
•Date: 10th / 11th August 2006• Region: UK •Type: Article •Topic: Warnings |
