Police are asking people to be sensible, ‘do the right thing’ and keep to coronavirus regulations, the day before England’s second lockdown, while the UK has had the national terrorism threat level raised from substantial to severe.
The threat level was lowered from severe to substantial in November 2019, shortly before the general election. It was raised back to severe yesterday, after the terror attack in Vienna; and earlier atrocity at Nice cathedral. For more about the threat levels visit the MI5 website. Police stressed that the change was not due to any specific threat to the UK.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist is the Metropolitan Police’s lead for coronavirus. He pointed out that today, London remain in the “High Alert” level restrictions. He said: “I know there will be many people thinking about whether they should head out tonight to support the hospitality sector before it closes. It is hugely important that people who are going out, stick to the current regulations and do not see tonight as an excuse for other gatherings or parties that are illegal, and could ultimately put other people’s lives at risk.
“It is vitally important that we’re all sensible, use common sense and stick to the rules. By working together, we can help prevent the spread of this deadly virus which has already claimed so many lives. Tonight, we will have more officers on duty to engage with the public and ensure that we all continue to keep each other safe. We are ready and prepared to take enforcement action against those who are deliberately breaching rules and putting people at risk.”
Civic leaders for example in the north-east have urged people to adopt the lockdown rules before Thursday.
On the precautionary raising of the terrorism threat level from ‘Substantial’ to ‘Severe’, DAC Twist added: “I know Londoners will be anxious following the truly awful attacks across Europe in recent weeks and our hearts are with all those affected. Last night it was announced that the threat level has been increased to “Severe”, this means an attack is ‘highly likely’. I would ask Londoners to not be alarmed by this, but to remain vigilant. If you see or hear something that doesn’t feel right to you, let us know.”
Anyone with counter-terror information is asked to contact police by calling 0800 789 321 or by visiting www.gov.uk/ACT.
As aired by a police counter-terror speaker at the annual conference of the Association of Security Consultants last month, as featured in the November 2020 print edition of Professional Security magazine, the terror threat is also from the extreme right wing. On Monday a London teenager was given a suspended jail sentence, after admitting 14 terrorism offences and two child abuse image offences.
Advice on what to look for and what to do if you have concerns about radicalisation can be found on the ‘Let’s Talk About It’ website – www.ltai.info.
Police continue to respond to reports of gatherings against pandemic regulations, such as on Sunday night a wedding party in a restaurant in Southall, west London.
Last Wednesday night a Newcastle fire engine was damaged by brick- and stone-throwing teenagers after a crew responded to a report of a fire on waste ground at Scotswood; no-one was hurt. Northumbria Police Insp Julie Rana said that due to coronavirus legislation children shouldn’t be socialising with friends in large groups anyway ‘and they certainly shouldn’t be setting fires’.
Consistently during the pandemic the emergency services have reported more assaults on staff than pre-pandemic. For example a 72-year-old man who assaulted ambulance crew while intoxicated at Bangor railway station in September has been jailed for 18 weeks.
Cleveland Police says it has had to plan and prepare for weeks ahead to deal with gangs of young people causing damage and crime over the Halloween and Guy Fawkes Bonfire period.
