US Embassy Warns Citizens in UK as Threat Level Raised to 'Severe'

The Elevated Threat Level

The United States embassy in London has issued a security alert telling its citizens in the United Kingdom to be cautious after the British government raised the national threat level to “severe”.

Security Advisories and Recommendations

The embassy advised citizens on Friday to remain “alert in public places” and to stay away from schools, churches, tourist locations and transportation hubs.

• US nationals should vary their “travel routes and times” to reduce predictability and to keep a low profile.

The Implications of 'Severe' Threat Level

The UK’s domestic intelligence agency, MI5, said on Friday that the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre had raised the threat level from “substantial” to “severe”.

This is the second-highest level, signalling that an attack within the next six months is “highly likely”, MI5 said in a statement.

The Driving Forces Behind the Increased Threat

The increased danger has been “driven by a rise in both Islamist and Extreme Right-Wing terrorist threat from individuals and small groups in the UK,” MI5 said, noting threats in particular to “Jewish and Israeli individuals and institutions, in the context of the conflict in the Middle East”.

Recent Incidents and Ongoing Concerns

This is the second security notice from the US embassy in the UK in the last few weeks.

Recently, it posted a statement noting the recent attacks and threats “targeting Jewish and American institutions”, and advising citizens to be cautious.

• Last week, the Finchley Reform Synagogue in north London was targeted.
• Other incidents have occurred, including an attack on the Kenton United Synagogue in Harrow.