The United Kingdom has increased its terrorism threat level from “substantial” to “severe” following a recent antisemitic attack, signalling that a terrorist incident is now considered highly likely.
In a statement, the UK government said the decision came after the stabbing of two Jewish men in Golders Green, north London, on Wednesday. The revised threat level was set by the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC) on Thursday.
UK Security Minister Dan Jarvis clarified that the move was not based solely on the latest incident but also on a broader rise in extremist threats.
He said the decision was “not solely as a result of that attack”, but had also been “driven by an increase in broader Islamist and extreme right-wing” threats.
The Metropolitan Police has classified the stabbings as a terrorist incident, describing it as part of a wider pattern of attacks targeting the Jewish community in the UK.
Jarvis urged citizens to remain cautious but not panic, advising the public to stay “alert and vigilant” rather than “alarmed,” while assuring that security agencies are working continuously to maintain safety.
Meanwhile, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood acknowledged that the development would heighten concerns, particularly among Jewish communities who have faced repeated attacks.
She said the government is committed to tackling antisemitism and has already taken steps to boost security funding for Jewish institutions.
“As the threat level rises, I urge everyone to be vigilant as they go about their daily lives and report any concerns they have to the police,” Mahmood said.
Recent months have seen a surge in antisemitic and racially motivated incidents across the country. Reports by the BBC indicate that in October 2025, two people were killed and several others injured in a car-ramming and stabbing near a synagogue in Manchester. Other incidents include arson attacks on Jewish ambulances and vandalism at synagogues in London.
The UK last operated at a “severe” threat level in November 2021, following incidents such as the Liverpool Women’s Hospital bombing and the killing of MP David Amess. The level was later reduced to “substantial” in February 2022.