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03/08/2004
Blair told to reveal specifics of terror threat
The government has been urged to release details of the terror threat facing Britain, after Pakistani authorities revealed that it had uncovered preparations for Al Qaeda terror strikes on the US and UK.
The US went on heightened alert this week after new information came to light following the arrest of a top Al Qaeda suspect in Pakistan. It has also emerged that computer disks seized by Pakistani authorities suggested that Britain may also be targeted by the terror group.
Today, Shadow Home Secretary David Davis called on the Prime Minister to be more forthcoming with information, and voiced concerns that the Home Office had not matched the US approach and raised security levels.
"The British government should take this risk extremely seriously. We find it very worrying that the Americans seem to be at a much more advanced stage than us in contingency planning and police presence. They also share much more information with their public than our government," he said.
Earlier this week, the US administration revealed that "new and unusually specific information" had lifted the lid on potential terror attack targets on the US East Coast.
US Home Security Secretary Tom Ridge told a press conference on Monday that there was a "credible threat" to financial services sector in New York City, Northern New Jersey and Washington.
US intelligence reported that Al Qaeda was targeting several specific buildings, including: the IMF and World Bank in Washington; Prudential Financial in Northern New Jersey; and Citigroup buildings and the Stock Exchange in New York.
An MI5 terror assessment published on July 28 has concluded that the threat from international terrorism "remains real and serious".
The security service said that Al Qaeda cells and supporters of affiliated groups were known to be active in the UK; and a terrorist threat to the UK "may also come from overseas".
A Whitehall spokeswoman said today: "If the public need to take specific action, we will issue advice and information immediately. We still say the threat remains real and serious."
On the back of mounting security concerns, Mr Davis reiterated his party's demands for a dedicated Homeland Security Minister – mirroring Tom Ridge's role in the US.
He added: "Mr Blair need to spell out the exact threat to the UK so that we are in a clear position as to where we stand. It is astonishing that we are getting more information about the risk to Britain from the Americans than from our own government."
In the US, strengthened security measures around the buildings concerned include: special buffer zones to secure the perimeter of target buildings from unauthorized cars and trucks; restrictions to underground parking; security personnel using identification badges and digital photos to keep track of people entering and exiting buildings; increased law enforcement presence; and "robust" screening of vehicles, packages and deliveries.
(gmcg)
The US went on heightened alert this week after new information came to light following the arrest of a top Al Qaeda suspect in Pakistan. It has also emerged that computer disks seized by Pakistani authorities suggested that Britain may also be targeted by the terror group.
Today, Shadow Home Secretary David Davis called on the Prime Minister to be more forthcoming with information, and voiced concerns that the Home Office had not matched the US approach and raised security levels.
"The British government should take this risk extremely seriously. We find it very worrying that the Americans seem to be at a much more advanced stage than us in contingency planning and police presence. They also share much more information with their public than our government," he said.
Earlier this week, the US administration revealed that "new and unusually specific information" had lifted the lid on potential terror attack targets on the US East Coast.
US Home Security Secretary Tom Ridge told a press conference on Monday that there was a "credible threat" to financial services sector in New York City, Northern New Jersey and Washington.
US intelligence reported that Al Qaeda was targeting several specific buildings, including: the IMF and World Bank in Washington; Prudential Financial in Northern New Jersey; and Citigroup buildings and the Stock Exchange in New York.
An MI5 terror assessment published on July 28 has concluded that the threat from international terrorism "remains real and serious".
The security service said that Al Qaeda cells and supporters of affiliated groups were known to be active in the UK; and a terrorist threat to the UK "may also come from overseas".
A Whitehall spokeswoman said today: "If the public need to take specific action, we will issue advice and information immediately. We still say the threat remains real and serious."
On the back of mounting security concerns, Mr Davis reiterated his party's demands for a dedicated Homeland Security Minister – mirroring Tom Ridge's role in the US.
He added: "Mr Blair need to spell out the exact threat to the UK so that we are in a clear position as to where we stand. It is astonishing that we are getting more information about the risk to Britain from the Americans than from our own government."
In the US, strengthened security measures around the buildings concerned include: special buffer zones to secure the perimeter of target buildings from unauthorized cars and trucks; restrictions to underground parking; security personnel using identification badges and digital photos to keep track of people entering and exiting buildings; increased law enforcement presence; and "robust" screening of vehicles, packages and deliveries.
(gmcg)
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20 July 2009
Terror Threat Reduced
The potential threat from a terrorist attack in the UK has been downgraded by one level. However, the Home Secretary, whose department sets the risk level, said the public can expect little change in security measures.
Terror Threat Reduced
The potential threat from a terrorist attack in the UK has been downgraded by one level. However, the Home Secretary, whose department sets the risk level, said the public can expect little change in security measures.
14 August 2006
Government lowers terror threat level
The terror threat level to the UK has been downgraded from critical to severe, the Home Office has announced. The change means that the chance of a terror attack occurring in the UK is still regarded as "highly likely", but not "imminent".
Government lowers terror threat level
The terror threat level to the UK has been downgraded from critical to severe, the Home Office has announced. The change means that the chance of a terror attack occurring in the UK is still regarded as "highly likely", but not "imminent".
14 August 2006
Airlines forced to cancel flights following terror alert
BAA has ordered airlines to cancel 20% of their flights from Heathrow airport on Monday, amid continuing congestion at the airport following last week's terror alert. British Airways has cancelled 12 European return flights departing from Terminal 4 and 27 European and domestic return flights from Terminal 1.
Airlines forced to cancel flights following terror alert
BAA has ordered airlines to cancel 20% of their flights from Heathrow airport on Monday, amid continuing congestion at the airport following last week's terror alert. British Airways has cancelled 12 European return flights departing from Terminal 4 and 27 European and domestic return flights from Terminal 1.
10 November 2006
MI5 monitor 200 suspected UK terror cells
The head of MI5 has claimed that 200 terrorist groups and 1,600 individuals are under surveillance by the UK security service. MI5 chief Dame Eliza Manningham-Buller said that security service are aware of 30 possible plots, and cautioned that the threat to UK security is "serious and growing.
MI5 monitor 200 suspected UK terror cells
The head of MI5 has claimed that 200 terrorist groups and 1,600 individuals are under surveillance by the UK security service. MI5 chief Dame Eliza Manningham-Buller said that security service are aware of 30 possible plots, and cautioned that the threat to UK security is "serious and growing.
02 April 2003
Regulatory body for security guards and bouncers launched
In a shake up of the private security industry announced today bouncers and wheel clampers will have to be licensed and regulated by the new Security Industry Authority (SIA). The measures are designed to protect the public from rogue operators and create higher standards of recruitment and training for private security operatives and managers.
Regulatory body for security guards and bouncers launched
In a shake up of the private security industry announced today bouncers and wheel clampers will have to be licensed and regulated by the new Security Industry Authority (SIA). The measures are designed to protect the public from rogue operators and create higher standards of recruitment and training for private security operatives and managers.
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Clear start with a fairly widespread frost developing. Increasing cloud brings occasionally heavy rain overnight, preceded, especially over western hills, briefly by snow. Occasional southeasterly gales, severe near coasts, developing. Minimum temperature -2 °C.
