The United Kingdom has raised its national terrorism threat level following a series of violent incidents, including a stabbing attack targeting Jewish men.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the situation has left many in the Jewish community feeling unsafe.
The UK government has increased the national terrorism threat level from “substantial” to “severe,” indicating that an attack is highly likely within the next six months.
The decision was made independently by the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre following the latest security assessment.
The move comes a day after two Jewish men were stabbed in the Golders Green area of London.
Authorities say the incident is part of a broader pattern of rising attacks and security threats in the country.
Government says threat is growing
Interior Minister Shabana Mahmood said the decision reflects both recent intelligence and a longer-term increase in extremist activity.
Officials also pointed to concerns about foreign states allegedly using criminal proxies to carry out attacks.
The head of counter-terrorism policing, Laurence Taylor, said the UK has been facing a growing threat from different directions.
He highlighted an “elevated threat” to Jewish and Israeli individuals and institutions, along with risks linked to global instability.
Starmer: ‘People are acared’
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Jewish people across Britain are living in fear.
“People are scared to show who they are… scared to go to synagogue, to university, or send their children to school,” he said.
Starmer pledged increased police presence in Jewish areas, tougher action against antisemitism, and new laws targeting state-sponsored threats.
Suspect background
Police said the 45-year-old suspect, a British national born in Somalia, has a history of serious violence and mental health issues.
He had previously been referred to the Prevent counter-radicalisation programme in 2020 and reportedly served prison time in 2008 for stabbing an officer and a police dog.
New laws and security measures
The government plans to fast-track legislation to prosecute individuals acting as proxies for foreign states, treating them similarly to spies.
Starmer specifically mentioned threats linked to countries like Iran, which he said pose risks to British Jews. Tehran has rejected such claims.
Ongoing pro-Palestinian protests since the 2023 Gaza conflict have also intensified tensions.
Critics argue that some demonstrations have fuelled hostility and antisemitism, further worrying the Jewish community.
Recent incidents include a deadly attack at a synagogue in Manchester last October, which killed two people.
Authorities have also disrupted plots targeting the Jewish community, including an Islamic State-inspired attack plan that resulted in convictions.
