United Kingdom: Nine terror attacks thwarted since March

Event

The British Home Office (interior ministry) announced on Tuesday, December 5, that British authorities have foiled nine terror attacks since the Westminster Bridge attack in March; another five terror attacks were successfully carried out over the same period, killing a total of 36 people. Of the five terror attacks carried out in the UK since March, four were claimed by the Islamic State (IS) group.

Context

​In total, some 22 planned Islamist terror attacks have been thwarted by British authorities since May 2013. Most recently, an improvised explosive device (IED) attack at the Parsons Green tube station in West London wounded 30 people in September.

In late March, an Islamist terrorist killed five people in a car-ramming attack and stabbing in Westminster, London.

Advice

Individuals in the United Kingdom, particularly in London, are advised to remain vigilant, to avoid all areas where investigations or security operations are ongoing, to adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities, and to report any suspicious objects or behavior to relevant authorities.