Threat

There is a serious and sustained threat from international terrorism to the UK and UK interests overseas. Threat levels are assessed by the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC). For more information about the threat visit www.mi5.gov.uk.

British citizens living abroad have also been targeted. In 2003 the British Consulate in Istanbul was attacked resulting in 23 people being killed, including 3 British citizens. 

The most significant terrorist threat comes from Al Qaeda and associated networks. As the London terrorist attacks in July 2005 showed, an attack or multiple attacks may be mounted without warning. Information on Al Qaeda's typical methods of attack and targets and the current threat to the UK has been prepared by JTAC and is continually reviewed. For more information please see The System to Assess the Threat from International Terrorism, (400KB pdf).

Terrorism in Northern Ireland continues to pose a threat. Dissident republican terrorist groups, such as RIRA and CIRA who have rejected the Good Friday Agreement of April 1998, still aspire to mount attacks within the UK. Northern Ireland related and other domestic terrorism threats are assessed by the Security Service (MI5).

The Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure, CPNI, has published a guidance document, Protecting Against Terrorism, which is an overview of generic protective security measures available for  you to protect your business or organisation.