Terrorist threat level in Northern Ireland raised to “serious”

The British Security Service has raised the terrorist threat level in Northern Ireland, meaning that an attack on that territory of the United Kingdom is now “very likely.”

In a written statement, the Minister of State for Northern Ireland, Chris Heaton-Harris, reported that MI5 (the country’s internal intelligence service) had increased the likelihood of an act of terrorism in that region and that the public had to remain attentive.

“MI5 has increased the terrorism threat to Northern Ireland from ‘considerable’ (an attack is likely) to ‘serious’ (an attack is very likely),” the senior official said. “Citizens should remain vigilant, but not alarmed, and continue to report any concerns they have to the Police,” he stressed.

Heaton-Harris also stressed that “peaceful and democratic politics”, implemented after the signing of a historic agreement that ended the Northern Irish conflict, “has improved society”, but today there are “a small number of people” who They seek to “cause harm” to local communities “through politically motivated acts of violence.”

The minister assured that the level of terrorist threat “is constantly monitored” in a “systematic, exhaustive and rigorous process, based on the most recent intelligence data.”

The recent move was made a month after a group of masked gunmen attempted to shoot dead police officer John Caldwell in a Northern Irish city. Thirteen people were arrested in connection with the attack.

“In recent months, we have seen increased levels of activity related to terrorism linked to Northern Ireland, which has targeted police officers serving their communities and has also put the lives of children and other members of the public,” Heaton-Harris said. With RT

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