The UK terror threat level today is SEVERE, the second highest of five. It was raised from SUBSTANTIAL on 30 April 2026, the day after the Golders Green attack. Below: what each level means, every change since levels were first published in 2006, and how to report something suspicious. For attacks and plots as they are reported, see terror attacks worldwide.
An attack is highly likely. Raised by JTAC after the Golders Green attack, and because Islamist and extreme right-wing threats from people and small groups in the UK had been rising for some time.
· RAISED FROM SUBSTANTIALGOV.UK ↗An attack is likely. Set by MI5. Lowered from SEVERE in March 2024, a year after the shooting of DCI John Caldwell.
· LOWERED FROM SEVEREGOV.UK ↗| Date | Level | Linked to |
|---|---|---|
| 30 Apr 2026 | SEVERE | Golders Green attack |
| Feb 2022 | SUBSTANTIAL | |
| Nov 2021 | SEVERE | Liverpool Women's Hospital bombing |
| Feb 2021 | SUBSTANTIAL | |
| Nov 2020 | SEVERE | Attacks in France and Vienna |
| Nov 2019 | SUBSTANTIAL | |
| Sep 2017 | SEVERE | |
| Sep 2017 | CRITICAL | Parsons Green bombing |
| May 2017 | SEVERE | |
| May 2017 | CRITICAL | Manchester Arena bombing |
| Aug 2014 | SEVERE | Conflicts in Syria and Iraq |
| Jul 2011 | SUBSTANTIAL | |
| Jan 2010 | SEVERE | |
| Jul 2009 | SUBSTANTIAL | |
| Jul 2007 | SEVERE | |
| Jun 2007 | CRITICAL | Glasgow Airport attack |
| Aug 2006 | SEVERE | |
| Aug 2006 | CRITICAL | Transatlantic aircraft plot |
| Aug 2006 | SEVERE | First published level |
Until July 2019 the national level covered international terrorism only; since then it covers all terrorism in the UK. Northern Ireland-related terrorism has its own level.
Emergency. If you see an attack happening or someone in immediate danger, call 999.
Suspicious activity. Report it in confidence to the Anti-Terrorism Hotline on 0800 789 321, or online at gov.uk/ACT.
Caught up in an attack. Run to a safe place if you can. If you can't, hide, silence your phone and barricade yourself in. Tell the police by calling 999 when it is safe.
Online content. Report terrorist or extremist material online through gov.uk/report-terrorism.
SEVERE, which means an attack is highly likely. The Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre raised it from SUBSTANTIAL on 30 April 2026. The separate threat to Northern Ireland from Northern Ireland-related terrorism is SUBSTANTIAL.
LOW: an attack is highly unlikely. MODERATE: an attack is possible but not likely. SUBSTANTIAL: an attack is likely. SEVERE: an attack is highly likely. CRITICAL: an attack is highly likely in the near future.
It was raised on 30 April 2026, the day after the Golders Green attack in north London. The government said the attack was not the only reason: the threat from Islamist and extreme right-wing individuals and small groups in the UK had been rising for some time, and state-linked threats were encouraging violence, including against the Jewish community.
The Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC), based in MI5, sets the national level. MI5 sets the level for Northern Ireland-related terrorism. Neither is set by ministers.
September 2017, for two days after the Parsons Green bombing. It has been CRITICAL four times since levels were first published in 2006: August 2006, June 2007, May 2017 and September 2017.
In an emergency, call 999. Otherwise report it to the police in confidence on the Anti-Terrorism Hotline, 0800 789 321, or online at gov.uk/ACT. If you are caught up in an attack, the police advice is Run, Hide, Tell.