UK Threat Level: Severe

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1 May 2026

The UK Threat Level has now been raised to Severe, meaning an attack is highly likely. This is following the Golders Green stabbings, and also a rising threat over some time driven by an increase in broader Islamist and extreme rightwing terrorist threat from individuals and small groups based in the UK. It also comes against a backdrop of increased state-linked physical threats, which is encouraging acts of violence.

The advice being given is to remain alert but not alarmed, and for those responsible for venues and other publicly accessible places to review their security measures and consider implementing proportionate additional measures. These should be practical, visible and sustainable within your operation.

Our industry friends at RB Health and Safety Solutions have shared the following recommendations with us to pass on.

Immediate considerations include:

Ensure that all staff are briefed today and regularly thereafter on your lockdown and invacuation procedures and that there is a means of communicating with those in the building
Ensure staff are reminded of the Run-Hide-Tell and Guide-Shelter-Report.
Please also ensure that staff remain vigilant and report anything that looks suspicious or out-of-place.
Introducing full bag searches for all patrons at main entrances, including re-entry
Increasing security presence and patrols, including regular perimeter checks
Ensuring continuous CCTV monitoring of entrance areas and foyers during performances
Reviewing the use of cloakrooms, consider closing them or restricting large bags and luggage should there be any specific threat relating to IED’s in the coming days
Encouraging patrons, where appropriate, to avoid bringing luggage to the venue (e.g. use of third-party storage services)
Implementing enhanced access control, particularly to non-public or infrequently used areas (e.g. permit systems or tamper indicators on doors)
Increasing the frequency of security checks on all secured doors throughout performances

You should also ensure that existing measures under the current threat environment are being consistently applied, in most venues we work with this will already include:

Keeping stage doors closed during performances
Maintaining a strong staff presence in public areas
Reinforcing staff vigilance and reporting of suspicious behaviour
Ensuring emergency procedures (evacuation, invacuation/lockdown) are understood and can be implemented confidently
Confirming that communication equipment (radios, phones) is fully operational and response equipment is readily available

We also recommend you visit ProtectUK | Home where you will find further information and guidance, including the recently added Guide, Shelter, Report guidance mentioned above and a range of other resources.