Britain’s terror threat level reduced

July 12, 2011 | Defence / Terrorism | Written by

London, July 12: The terror threat level in Britain has now been reduced following the death of Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden, officials said.

The risk of a terrorist attack was cut from ‘severe’ to ‘substantial’, The Sun reported.

There are five levels of terror threats – from ‘low’ to ‘critical’.

The decision to reduce the level was taken by security officials at the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre, it said.

Home Secretary Theresa May, however, said: ‘The change in the threat level does not mean the overall threat has gone away. There remains a real and serious threat against Britain. I ask the public to remain vigilant.’

Officials said the threat dipped after bin Laden was killed by US special forces in Pakistan in May.

The last time the threat level was critical in Britain was in 2007 after an attack on Glasgow airport in Scotland and a failed car bomb in London.

IANS