An attack in England, Scotland or Wales is “a strong possibility”.
The threat level from Northern Ireland-related terrorism in Great Britain has been raised from moderate to substantial, meaning an attack in the UK is “a strong possibility”.
According to the BBC, the change of threat level relating to Great Britain was confirmed by Home Secretary Theresa May in a written statement to Parliament.
In the statement, May wrote that the threat level, which is set by the MI5 security service, “reflects the continuing threat from dissident republican activity”.
Home secretary Theresa May
The level for Northern Ireland-related terrorism in Northern Ireland remains “severe”, meaning an attack is “highly likely”.
This is the first time since 2012 that the threat level from Northern Ireland-related terrorism in Great Britain has been classed as substantial; it was raised from moderate to substantial in 2010 and reduced back to moderate two years later.
News of the increase in threat level comes on the back of a statement issued by the New IRA recently to mark the 100th anniversary of the Easter Rising, which they described as “an unfinished revolution”.
“As we look to the future Britain is stuck in their colonial past,” the statement read.
“While their occupation, the accompanying denial of national self-determination and partition remain the IRA will continue to target any and all of those who assist in those injustices.
“The volunteer soldiers of the IRA are ready and determined to take the war to the age old enemy of our nation.”
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