News
UK’s terror threat level raised to ‘severe’ meaning an attack is ‘highly likely’
The move comes after an emergency COBRA meeting was held today.
It has been confirmed this afternoon that the UK’s terror threat level has been raised from ‘substantial’ to ‘severe’.
This means that an attack is “highly likely”.
The move – which has been confirmed by Home Secretary Priti Patel – comes after an emergency COBRA meeting was held today following a the explosion of a taxi vehicle which arrived outside Liverpool Women’s Hospital yesterday.
Police have arrested four people since the blast occurred yesterday afternoon, and have since declared it an act of terrorism.
The decision to raise the threat level has been taken by the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC) – which is based at MI5’s headquarters in London, and is made up of counter-terror experts from the police, government and security agencies – and Ms Patel said it was made due to two incidents occurring in the last month.
Speaking to reporters tis afternoon, the Home Secretary said: “The prime minister has this afternoon just chaired a COBRA meeting and I attended that meeting too – and the points to note from that meeting is that, first of all, the incident has been declared as a terrorist incident, the police have now declared that.
“But, secondly, the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre – JTAC – are now increasing the United Kingdom’s threat level from substantial to severe.
“That reason is because what we saw yesterday is the second incident in a month.
“Now, of course that means we continue to work with our world class security, intelligence and policing services – representatives from those agencies.
“There is a live investigation taking place right now, they will need the time, the space, to do the work that they are doing in terms of investigating the incident.
“But of course, we as a government, I as home secretary, continue to work with everyone when it comes to the security of our country and making sure that we are taking all the necessary steps required.”
The five terror threat levels are:
Low – An attack is highly unlikely
Moderate – An attack is possible, but not likely
Substantial – An attack is likely
Severe – An attack is highly likely
Critical – An attack is highly likely in the near future
Police say the motivation for Sunday’s incident is “not clear”, but that officers believe they know the identity of the taxi passenger, and that four arrested men are thought to be “associates”.
This is a BREAKING NEWS story – More to follow.
Featured Image –
News
Family pays tribute to ‘much-loved son’ who died after Wigan bus crash
Daisy Jackson
The family of a man who died in a tragic bus crash in Wigan have paid a moving tribute to him.
Luke Hill, 28, was involved in a collision between a bus and a motorbike earlier this month, and sadly passed away in hospital the following morning.
The incident occurred on the Wigan Road junction of Alexandra Road, at around 11.54pm on Thursday 6 August – and GMP are still appealing for members of the public to come forward with CCTV, dashcam, or information.
The driver of the bus remained at the scene following the crash, and continues to support police with their investigation.
Paying tribute to Luke, his family described him as a ‘rock and much-loved part of the family’.
His mother said that living without him feels like a ‘terrible nightmare’.
Paying tribute, Luke’s mum, Sharon, has said: “Luke was my son, my rock, and a much-loved part of our family. There are simply no words to describe the pain of losing a son, especially in such a tragic way.
“It still doesn’t feel real. I keep expecting this terrible nightmare to end and for you to be here with us again.
“Luke was a beloved son, brother, uncle, nephew and grandson. He meant so much to so many people, and he will be deeply missed by all his family and friends.
“We miss you more than words could ever say. The pain of losing you is something we will carry with us forever, but so will the love and memories you gave us.
“The whole family is deeply saddened by this heartbreaking loss. We kindly ask that everyone respects our privacy and allows us the time and space we need to grieve.
“You will never be forgotten, Luke.
“We love you and miss you so much.”
Officers are continuing to appeal for any witnesses who may have seen the moments leading up to this incident, or anyone who has mobile phone or dash cam footage, to come forward and assist the investigation.
Anyone with information can contact police via 0161 856 4741 or our Live Chat at gmp.police.uk, quoting the log number 4225 of 06/08/2026.
Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Read more
Featured image: GMP
News
Government issues UK-wide temporary ban on sale of disposable barbecues due to wildfire risk
Emily Sergeant
A temporary ban on the sale of disposable barbecues has been issued nationwide.
Following the UK’s fourth heatwave of the summer, and as many regions declare drought conditions, the Government has made the decision to issue a temporary ban on the sale of disposable barbecues due to wildfire risk.
According to new guidance published online this afternoon, disposable barbecues pose a ‘significant risk to the public’ due to the current heatwave conditions.
A disposable barbecue is defined as a fuel tray or grill grid that includes charcoal fuel ‘sufficient to provide cooking temperature for the duration of a single cooking episode’.
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Andy Burnham described the UK as a ‘tinderbox’ and urged ‘all retailers big and small’ to withdraw the sale of disposable barbecues to prevent further wildfires, but following the shocking scenes in Stourbridge which raged overnight, it appears this has been escalated to a formal temporary ban.
The ban applies to all producers and distributors of the product – including retailers that make disposable barbecues available on the British market – and includes online sales too.
A Government statement reads: “During the current drought and heatwave conditions, the Government considers that the supply and subsequent foreseeable use of disposable barbecues poses a significant risk to the public, and the environment, and therefore cannot be considered a safe product.
“They should not be made available for supply either in store or online at the current time.
Read more:
“These guidelines will be kept under review, and will be withdrawn in consultation with relevant departments and agencies, as weather conditions change sufficiently to significantly reduce the risks.”
Featured Image – Dom (via Unsplash)
The Manc -
15th November 2021 
