Australia Raised Security Level for Travel to UK Due to Terrorism Threats

Prince William, Princess Anne, and Prince Charles ride horseback during the Trooping the Colour parade at Buckingham Palace in London, on June 2, 2022. (Chris J Ratcliffe /Getty Images)

Australia has raised its security alert for travellers to the United Kingdom because of the threat of terrorism.

The warning level for UK has changed from green to yellow, the same as those for travellers to the United States, Peru, France, Greece, and Indonesia.

Green is the level one warning, meaning travellers should take normal safety precautions such as exercising common sense and looking out for suspicious behaviour.

Yellow is the level two warning, meaning travellers should exercise a high degree of caution and pay close attention to their personal safety and current health conditions.

“We’ve reviewed our advice for the United Kingdom. We now advise you to exercise a high degree of caution due to the threat of terrorism,” the Australian government’s smartraveller website updated on June 30.

“International terrorists have staged attacks in the UK. The UK Government’s terrorism threat level is ‘substantial,’ meaning it assesses an attack is likely.”

“Islamic extremism, extreme right-wing ideology, and the status of Northern Ireland contribute to the threat.”

“Always be alert to terrorism. Take official warnings seriously.”

UK Raises Terrorism Threat Level After Major Attacks

There are five levels of terrorism threat in the UK, from low to high: “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; and “critical” -- an attack is highly likely in the near future.

The UK terrorism threat level was previously raised to “severe” in November 2021 after a terrorist attack in Liverpool on 14 November 2021 and a fatal attack on British Member of Parliament David Amess on 15 October 2021.

Flowers were left in memory of Sir David Amess outside the Houses of Parliament, in Westminster, London, on Oct. 22, 2021. (Dominic Lipinski/PA)

“Northern Ireland has previously experienced street violence and rioting, including attacks on police with stones, fireworks, and petrol bombs,” the website stated.

“The violence has mainly occurred in loyalist areas in west and south Belfast, Londonderry, and parts of County Antrim.”

Australian authorities warn travellers to avoid areas where protests are taking place due to the potential for chaos and violence and to always be alert to the threat of terrorism and take official warnings seriously.

The Smartraveller website currently divides security advice for 177 countries into four levels.

These levels include “exercise normal safety precautions” (green, Level 1), “exercise a high degree of caution” (yellow, level 2), “Reconsider your need to travel ” (orange, level 3), and “Do not travel” (red, level 4).