The Home Office holds primary responsibility for counter-terrorism within the UK. This page provides information for the public from the Home Office website on how you can protect, prevent and prepare for terrorist attacks.
Current UK threat picture
The threat from international terrorism remains real and serious. Usama bin Laden has in several statements publicly named Britain and British interests as a target, and encouraged attacks to be carried out against them.
Worldwide, much has been done since 11 September 2001 to thwart attacks and to damage terrorists' capability to conduct terrorist operations, but no country is immune. Al Qaida cells and supporters of affiliated groups are known to be active in the UK. A terrorist threat to the UK may also come from overseas.
It remains the Government's policy to issue warnings when the public can take action in response to a specific or credible terrorist threat. There are no such warnings currently in force. However, given the threat picture, members of the public should always remain alert to the danger and report any suspicious activity to the police on the Anti-terrorist hotline: 0800 789 321.
Despite the high level of threat from international terrorism, there has been no international terrorist attack on UK soil since 1994. There have, of course, been attacks on UK interests overseas.
For information on the threats abroad, travellers should consult the Foreign & Commonwealth Office website for country-specific advice.
The threat picture is produced by the Security Service in consultation with the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC). It aims to give a brief summary of the current threat to the UK from international terrorism. It is regularly reviewed and updated.
Useful advice
Simple preventative steps:
- Terrorism is a crime like any other, so follow the same precautions you normally take to avoid being the victim of a crime.
- Continue to go about your day-to-day business in the normal way, but remain alert and vigilant. For example, keep an eye out for suspect bags, packages or vehicles, or people acting suspiciously at stations and airports, and report anything suspicious to the police or the appropriate authorities.
- Trust your instincts; if you feel something is wrong, ring the police.
- If you have information about possible bomb threats or other immediate threats, call 999. If you have tip-offs or confidential information about possible terrorist activity, call the police anti-terrorist hotline: 0800 789 321.
Think about terrorism
- Many terrorists seek other identities to protect themselves. Don't help them by leaving important identification documents such as passports and driving licences vulnerable to theft.
- Terrorists need money to finance their operations. They get it by both legal and illegal means. Make sure you are not funding terrorists: take care of your credit cards and other financial records, and do not donate or contribute to a collection if you are unsure where the money is going.
Know your environment
Most of us make familiar journeys on auto-pilot. Take note of your surroundings on your journey to work, to the shops and the usual places you visit. Know who and what you expect to see each day within your neighbourhood and your workplace.
- Is there anything out of place?
- Is there anything there that is not usually there?
- Is your home / workplace as you left it?
Sensible Precautions
It is sensible to be prepared for any emergency in the home and to make plans for any major disruption, including severe weather and floods.
In any type of emergency, you could lose access to power, water, telephones, and roads. Therefore have on hand:
- Batteries.
- A battery-powered torch.
- A battery-powered or wind-up radio.
- Some ready-to-eat food, e.g. tinned food.
- A few bottles of water.
- Blankets or duvets.
- Have the phone numbers of your local police, council, utility companies and family members handy in one place.
- Make sure you know where the main switches for electricity, water and gas are located in your home, as you may need to turn them off in an emergency.
Reporting suspect terrorist activity
If you know something about a threat to national security, MI5 wants to hear from you.
By visiting the MI5 website you can submit a message (maximum 300 words) and provide optional name and contact details. Your message will be sent over a secure internet connection.
After sending your message, you will see an on-screen acknowledgement. All messages will be carefully assessed, but the MI5 cannot promise to respond to all of them.
If your information relates to an imminent threat to life or property, please contact the police on 999 or the police Anti-terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321.
In the event of a terrorist attack
Advice from the Home Office :
- If you are at the scene, follow the instructions of the emergency services.
- If you are further away but think you may be affected, GO IN, STAY IN, and TUNE IN. Go indoors and stay there. There is an agreement with radio and TV companies that if there is a major emergency they will interrupt programming to give public safety advice and information about the incident, so that when you TUNE IN locally or nationally anywhere in the UK you’ll get the advice you need.
Further information can be found at: Preparing for Emergencies
Further information
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