The Threat to the UK from International Terrorism

This page provides a summary of the current threat to the UK from international terrorism.

Members of the public should always remain alert to the danger of terrorism and report any suspicious activity to the police on 999 or the anti-terrorist hotline: 0800 789 321. If your information does not relate to an imminent threat, you can also contact the Security Service via the How You Can Help page.

The threat from Al Qaida

The most significant terrorist threat to the UK and to UK interests overseas comes from Al Qaida and associated networks. The threat to the UK remains real and serious. Usama bin Laden and other senior Al Qaida members have publicly stated several times that the UK and UK interests are a priority target for them. The most recent statement made by Al Qaida that specifically encouraged attacks to be carried out against UK interests was issued in October 2004.

There have been a number of attacks specifically targeting UK interests based overseas. Al Qaida's car bomb attack on the British Consulate and HSBC in Istanbul in November 2003 killed five people. Al Qaida also claimed responsibility for the shooting of a British national in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in September 2004 and Kenneth Bigley was murdered in October 2004 in Iraq by a group that has been linked to Al Qaida.

Presence of international terrorists in the UK

We know that both British and foreign nationals belonging to Al Qaida cells and associated networks are currently present throughout the UK, that they are supporting the activities of terrorist groups, and that in some cases they are engaged in planning, or attempting to carry out, terrorist attacks. Some of these terrorists have received military and specialist terrorist training in camps overseas, for example in Afghanistan. Relationships forged in these training camps form the basis of loose networks of terrorists who can operate outside structured organisations.

These networks operate covertly, using clandestine methods to communicate and shield their activities from scrutiny, which makes gathering intelligence on their activities more difficult. That said, a significant number of terrorist attacks have been thwarted in the UK since 11 September 2001. Intelligence-led operations have contributed to a number of arrests made under the Terrorism Act 2000. The most significant arrests made recently by the Police occurred in August 2004, when eight men from around the UK were charged with terrorism-related offences.

Once law enforcement agencies have taken executive action, the case becomes sub judice, that is subject to judicial consideration. The Government cannot issue further details connected with the case in order to ensure that any subsequent trial is not prejudiced.

The UK Government continues to maintain a state of heightened readiness in response to this threat. It remains the Government's policy to issue warnings or advice if this ever became necessary to protect public safety in the event of a specific and credible terrorist threat.

For information on the threats abroad, travellers should consult the Foreign & Commonwealth Office website for country-specific advice.

The threat picture is produced by the Security Service in consultation with the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC). It aims to give a brief summary of the current threat to the UK from international terrorism. It is regularly reviewed and updated.

Security Service website (MI5)
The Threats page details regularly updated information on terrorist threats to the UK.

Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to concerns about the threats from terrorism and what government is doing.