28-03-23, 12:22
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US President Joe Biden & UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak Arrive in Belfast
Terrorism Threat Level Raised in Northern Ireland
The terrorism threat level in Northern Ireland has been raised to SEVERE
The move, based on a Security Service (MI5) intelligence assessment, follows a rise in dissident republican activity, including a gun attack last month on a senior police officer.
BBC 28 MAR 2023
It sees the threat level raised from substantial to severe, meaning the risk of attack or attacks has gone from "likely" to "highly likely".
It was announced by Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris.
Tuesday's announcement reverses last year's downgrade which was the first change in Northern Ireland in 12 years.
MI5 is believed to review the threat level every six months - the terrorism threat level remains substantial in the rest of the UK.
Threat levels are designed to give an indication of the likelihood of a terrorist attack and there are five rankings ranging from low to critical: Severe is one level below critical.
Vigilance urged
In February Det Ch Insp John Caldwell was shot several times by two gunmen as he was putting footballs into his car boot having been coaching a youth training session.
The 48-year-old father of one remains in a critical condition in hospital in Omagh.
The attack was admitted by the main dissident group, the New IRA.
Det Ch Insp John Caldwell remains critically ill
In a written statement to MPs, Mr Heaton-Harris said: "The public should remain vigilant, but not be alarmed, and continue to report any concerns they have to the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI)."
PSNI Chief Constable Simon Byrne said: "We will relentlessly pursue those who seek to cause harm and terrorise our communities, and attack my officers and staff."
Three months prior to February's attack on the police officer, the New IRA set off a roadside bomb in Strabane, County Tyrone, as a police car drove past, but neither of the two officers inside was injured.
Both attacks showed that after a number of years on the back foot, the organisation remains dangerous.
Two smaller dissident groups, the Continuity IRA and Arm na Poblachta (ANP), are also active.
What are the threat levels?
There are five:
CRITICAL means an attack is expected imminently
SEVERE means an attack is highly likely
SUBSTANTIAL means an attack is a strong possibility
MODERATE means an attack is possible, but not likely
LOW means an attack is unlikely
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