UK’s terror threat level rises to ‘severe’ after attacks in Austria and France

UK’s national terrorism threat level has been raised to “severe” following the murderous attacks by Islamist militants in France and Austria.

The Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC) made the assessment following a spate of attacks in France and a shooting rampage by an Isis supporter in Vienna.

Priti Patel, the home secretary, said: “This is a precautionary measure and is not based on any specific threat.

“The public should continue to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the police.”

Isis, al-Qaeda and other jihadist groups have been ramping up calls for supporters to launch atrocities around the world in recent days.

The terror threat level was lowered to substantial a year ago, just weeks before an Islamist extremist murdered two people at a rehabilitation event in London.

It was followed by three other alleged terror attacks this year in HMP Whitemoor prison, Streatham and Reading.