Britain raised its national terrorism threat level to "severe" on Thursday, the second-highest rating, signaling that an attack within the next six months is "highly likely." The move came days after two Jewish men were stabbed in the Golders Green area of London.
MI5, the UK's domestic intelligence agency, said the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre made the decision following a gradual increase in terrorist threats. The agency described the change as being "driven by a rise in both Islamist and Extreme Right-Wing terrorist threat from individuals and small groups in the UK," with particular dangers directed at "Jewish and Israeli individuals and institutions, in the context of the conflict in the Middle East." MI5 noted the elevated level was not solely a result of the Golders Green stabbings.
Recent weeks have seen multiple incidents. The Finchley Reform Synagogue in north London was targeted, as was the Kenton United Synagogue in Harrow. Police have charged a man in connection with the Golders Green attack.
The U.S. Embassy in London issued a security alert Friday advising American citizens to remain "alert in public places" and to avoid schools, churches, tourist locations, and transportation hubs. The embassy also told U.S. nationals to vary their travel routes and times to reduce predictability. It was the second such notice from the embassy in recent weeks, following an earlier alert about threats targeting Jewish and American institutions.
The elevated threat level played out in real time on Friday evening in Birmingham, where comedian Peter Kay was roughly 45 minutes into his set at the 15,000-capacity Utilita Arena when two men walked onstage. One whispered in Kay's ear and rushed him off. The audience was told to evacuate due to "unforeseen circumstances."
Attendee Steve Aspinall, who had driven from Bideford in Devon with his wife to see the show, told the BBC that the evacuation was initially met with confusion. "At first, me and many others thought it was part of the show but then the lights came up and everyone started filing out," he said. "Because it's this day and age, I did say to my wife, I don't know if it's a bomb threat but the fact they didn't say anything meant no-one panicked."
Another audience member, Miranda Richardson, said staff moved quickly. "No messing, it was just all out," she said.
West Midlands Police said Saturday that a 19-year-old man had been arrested on suspicion of a bomb hoax offense. No items of a suspicious nature were found at the venue. Kay is scheduled to perform at the same arena Saturday evening at 8:00 p.m. as part of his "Better Late Than Never" tour, with all profits going to twelve cancer charities.
