UK downgrades threat level from Northern Ireland terrorism

The British government today downgraded its threat level from Northern Ireland related terrorism from "substantial" to "moderate", which indicates an attack is no longer likely but only possible.

In a written statement to Parliament, UK home secretary Amber Rudd said the decision to change this threat level is taken by the UK's Security Service independently of ministers based on the "very latest intelligence".

"Despite the change which has been made today, there remains a real and serious threat against the United Kingdom from terrorism and I would ask the public to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activity to the police regardless of the threat level," she said.
 

The threat level to the UK from international terrorism remains unchanged at severe, and the threat level to Northern Ireland itself from Northern Ireland related terrorism also remains unchanged at severe, meaning that an attack is highly likely.

"Threat levels are designed to give a broad indication of the likelihood of a terrorist attack. They are a tool for security practitioners working across different sectors and the police to use in determining what protective security response may be required," the UK Home Office said.

It said that the aim was to keep the public informed and give context to the protective security measures encountered every day.

Since the creation of Northern Ireland in 1921, the majority of its population has traditionally been regarded as loyalists, meaning that they wish to remain part of the United Kingdom. However, there has always been a significant minority of "republicans", who support a united Ireland and regard themselves as Irish rather than British.

Paramilitary organisations on both sides have carried out campaigns of terrorism, most notably during the Troubles, the three decades of conflict from the late 1960s onwards that resulted in over 3,000 deaths.

In April 1998, the Good Friday Agreement was signed, paving the way for a devolved Northern Ireland Executive based on power sharing between unionist and nationalist political parties. The latest downgrading of terror threat to the rest of Britain from the region indicates that the arrangement remains on track.