LONDON, Jan 22, (AFP) -Britain raised its terror threat level from substantial to severe on Friday, suggesting that an attack is “highly likely”, Home Secretary Alan Johnson said.
“The Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre has today raised the threat to the UK from international terrorism from substantial to severe,” Johnson said. “This means that a terrorist attack is highly likely, but I should stress that there is no intelligence to suggest than an attack is imminent.”In a television statement shortly afterwards, Johnson refused to say whether the change in the threat level, which takes it to the fourth highest level out of five, was linked to the failed Detroit plane bombing on December 25.
“We never say what the intelligence is and it would be pretty daft of us to do that,” he said, adding: “It shouldn't be thought to be linked to Detroit or anywhere else for that matter.”He said: “The appraisal centre looks at all factors and no one should draw any assumptions from this.”The increased threat level meant that Britain would put “more resources in, we heighten the state of vigilance,” he added.
In a statement issued by his office, Johnson insisted the threat level, which has been made public on the website of the domestic security agency MI5 since August 2006, was kept “under constant review”.
The terrorism analysis centre “makes its judgments based on a broad range of factors, including the intent and capabilities of international terrorist groups in the UK and overseas”, he added.
Johnson said Britain continues to face a “real and serious threat” from international terrorism and urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the authorities.
Turkish plane in emergency
landing after threat
SALONIKA, Greece, Jan 22, (AFP) -A Turkish plane flying from Germany to Turkey made an emergency landing Friday in Salonika in Greece after cabin crew found a death threat message, airport officials said.
The pilot of the Sun Express flight from Stuttgart to Izmir made the request after one of the six-member cabin crew found the message in a toilet, they said.
The plane, carrying 62 passengers, was evacuated and searched.
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