LONDON, United Kingdom — The United Kingdom raised its national terrorism threat level on Thursday from “substantial” to “severe,” following an antisemitic attack in London that authorities say underscores an increased risk of further incidents, the Interior Ministry said.
The “severe” designation is the second-highest level in the UK’s five-tier system and means an attack is considered “highly likely” in the coming months.
The Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC), which operates within Britain’s security services, said the decision followed Wednesday’s incident in which two Jewish men were stabbed in London.
“The Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre has today raised the UK National Threat Level from substantial, meaning an attack is likely, to severe, meaning an attack is highly likely in the next six months,” the Interior Ministry said in a statement.
The threat level had remained at “substantial” since February 2022, according to JTAC.
Authorities have not yet released further details about the suspect or motive in the stabbing, but said investigations are ongoing.
