Great Britain Raises Terror Attack Level To 'Severe'

The British Government has raised its terror threat level to "severe", indicating concern that an attack is "highly likely."

Home Secretary Alan Johnson said on Friday there was no intelligence suggesting that an attack was imminent, but that intelligence officials have picked up information leading them to believe terrorists may be planning something.

Johnson said Britain continues to face a real and serious threat from international terrorism and urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to authorities.

The decision to raise the alert level came following a recommendation by the nation's Joint Terrorism Analysis Center (JTAC).

Britain has five threat levels for vigilance against terrorist attack, ranging from "low" to "critical." "Severe" is the second highest on the scale.

A variety of top government officials and dignitaries, including from Afghanistan, are expected to attend a terrorism conference late next week in London.